Reducing the Threat of Chlamydia in SEQ’s Wild Koalas program
Protecting SEQ’s koalas from one of the top 3 threats to their survival
A targeted chlamydia treatment and potential vaccination program for wild koala populations across South East Queensland.A collaboration between Healthy Land & Water, research partners, local councils, wildlife hospitals, and veterinary experts.
What
Healthy Land & Water is delivering the Reducing the Threat of Chlamydia in SEQ’s Wild Koalas program. This targeted program provides chlamydia treatment and vaccination (when possible) to suitable candidates within wild koala populations across South East Queensland (SEQ) to reduce this critical threat to koala survival.
This sub-program is part of the larger SEQ Koala Threat Management Initiatives (KTMI), funded by the Queensland Government Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI).
Why
- Chlamydia is one of the top three threats to koala populations in SEQ.
- Chlamydia significantly impacts koala health, survival, fertility and population survival.
- 9 SEQ councils have prioritised this threat for immediate action.
QUESTIONS?If you or any friends or residents have a question about the program, make sure you reach out directly to us: |
Where
Multiple sites across Somerset Regional, Ipswich City, Lockyer Valley, Sunshine Coast, Noosa Shire, Logan City, Redlands City, Gold Coast City, and Brisbane City council areas.
When
2024-2026.
Who
Healthy Land & Water, UniSC's Detection Dogs for Conservation, local councils, wildlife hospitals, and veterinary experts.
Funding
$1.9 million (part of the $4.2 million KTMI program).
Program activities
- Detection using non-invasive methods like live thermal imaging drone surveys and detection dogs.
- Health assessments of koalas in target locations with the help of wildlife veterinary experts.
- Treatment of koalas presenting with chlamydial disease (thanks to the SEQ wildlife hospital network).
- Administering vaccines to suitable koala candidates when possible.
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Monitoring using fit-for-purpose tracking methods and devices to follow treatment outcomes and gather valuable data, such as lightweight radio or Bluetooth ear tags or purpose-built collars. Individual project needs drive what tech is chosen, and that choice is made on the basis of what’s going to be minimally invasive and still deliver the required outcome.
How we protect koala welfare
EXPERIENCE, ETHICS AND PERMITS
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- Detection of koalas using live-feed thermal drone surveys and specially trained detection dogs.
- All procedures conducted by qualified wildlife professionals and approved under strict animal ethics protocols (approved by Animal Ethics Committees).
- Continuous improvement of techniques to minimise stress.
- Treatment for infected koalas to improve survival and potential future fertility.
- Fit-for-purpose tracking is prioritised whenever possible.
Expected outcomes
- Conducting thorough health assessments of wild koalas in targeted South East Queensland locations.
- Reduced prevalence of chlamydial pathogen and disease in wild populations.
- Improve individual animals' welfare through treatment of illness injury or disease.
- Potential for improved koala fertility, survival and population viability.
- Valuable data collection to understand the impacts of chlamydial disease on koalas in SEQ.
- Supporting long-term koala conservation in SEQ.
Questions about the program?
If you, any friends or local residents have a question about the program, make sure you reach out directly to us:
Project inquiries - Indigo Kuss-Patterson –
Media inquiries - Suzi Moore –
This sub-program is funded by the Queensland Government Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation and runs in collaboration with Sunshine Coast Regional, Noosa Shire, City of Gold Coast, Ipswich City, Lockyer Valley Regional, Somerset Regional, Brisbane City, Logan City, Redland City councils, UQ, UniSC’s Detection Dogs for Conservation, Currumbin Wildlife Hospital, Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, Moggill Koala Rehabilitation Centre, QUT, Wild Animal Solutions, Wattle Ecology & Veterinary Services.
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Frequently asked questions
Q: How do you find and monitor koalas?
A: We use a combination of non-invasive methods, including live feed thermal drone surveys and specialised detection dogs trained to locate koalas and their scats. When necessary for health assessment, we capture koalas following strict animal welfare and ethically approved protocols.
Q: How do you track treated koalas?
A: We prioritise the use of less-invasive monitoring methods where possible, such as lightweight tracking devices (radio or Bluetooth ear tags and collars) that often attach to standard identification tags. These cause minimal distress while allowing us to monitor treatment effectiveness and koala movement patterns. Individual project needs drive what tech (ear tags or collars) is chosen, and that choice is made on the basis of what’s going to be minimally invasive and still deliver the required outcome.
Q: Why do koalas get tagged?
A: Without a tracking device, it is nearly impossible to find a koala again. Koalas that receive the QUT developed vaccine need to be tracked and given a booster dose after 4 weeks. Being able to check on the koalas after treatment due to disease or injury is important to help track the koalas’ health after it is released from a wildlife hospital. Tracking is also important for research projects to understand how well a vaccine or treatment performs and to understand where koalas are living and what habitat they are using.
Q: Is a tracker implanted under the koala’s skin?
A: No, the only item implanted under the skin is a microchip that is the same as with domestic cats and dogs.
Q: Is it painful or uncomfortable for a koala to have tags fitted?
A: Most tagging and veterinary health assessments are conducted while the koala is under general anaesthetic – they don’t feel anything during the procedure. It is very common for koalas to start eating leaves as soon as they wake up. If they felt significant pain or discomfort, they would not do this. After release the koalas are monitored for signs of discomfort and will be attended to if such signs are found.
Q: Do tags or other tracking devices (collars, for example) restrict their movement and feeding, and other behaviour?
A: The tracking devices are purpose-built to fit on a koala's body and work with them as they move around their natural environment. Collars are purpose built to break/fall off if caught/snagged to prevent injury.
Here are some photos of the tracking devices:
BAU for Elsa, chewing away on some eucalypt with her collar on.
BAU for Maya having a nap with her ear tag on.
Joya and Olive are enjoying the sun while Mum has her tag on.
Q: Why is treating chlamydia important?
A: Chlamydia can cause pain, blindness, infertility, incontinence and death in koalas and is one of the top 3 threats to SEQ koalas. By treating infected individuals, we can improve their welfare and potentially increase survival and reproduction rates in the population.
Q: How are koalas captured and handled?
A: All captures are conducted by experienced professionals using established and ethically approved protocols that aim to minimise stress. Each koala receives a thorough health assessment, and handling time is kept to a minimum.
Q: Are koalas tagged just for scientific research?
A: No. This is a management program which aims to have a real, positive impact on koalas. Tagging koalas will help us to detect when they are at risk, sick or injured.
Q: Where do koalas go after they are captured?
A: All koalas will be assessed either on-site or at a wildlife hospital by a registered veterinarian. If they are deemed healthy they will be released at their point of capture. If they are unwell or injured, they will be transported to the nearest wildlife hospital for treatment.
Q: How are koalas with severe health conditions managed within the program?
A: Koala health and welfare are our absolute top priorities. Our program's primary goal is to improve koala health outcomes through intervention before conditions reach such advanced stages. In some cases, veterinary professionals may identify koalas with advanced chlamydial disease or other severe health conditions that cause significant suffering and are beyond effective treatment. In these situations, veterinary experts may recommend humane end-of-life care as the most compassionate option. These difficult decisions are made only by qualified wildlife veterinarians after thorough health assessments, always with the individual koala's welfare and quality of life as the guiding principle.
Q: Can I report a koala sighting to help the program?
A: Yes! Community sightings are valuable. Please report sightings of koalas in the CSIRO Koala Spotter app, Atlas of Living Australia, iNaturalist or your local council's sighting platform.
Q: How do I know if I am in a koala habitat area?
A: Property-scale maps, including koala habitat areas and koala priority areas, can be accessed by downloading a free vegetation management report on the Queensland Government website. Koala habitat mapping is also available via the Queensland Globe, an interactive map where users can view a range of spatial layers. To find out more about the maps and how to access them, visit https://environment.desi.qld.gov.au/wildlife/animals/living-with/koalas/mapping/koalamaps.
How you can help koalas every day
- Slow down when driving in koala habitat areas.
- Keep dogs contained at night in koala habitat areas.
- Plant koala food trees if you have suitable property.
- Report koala sightings via the app or your local council’s sighting platform.
- Share factual information about koala conservation programs.
- Actively monitor koalas for signs of disease and report sick koalas to rescue organisations.
- Make your pool koala safe.
- Educate yourself on how to identify sick koalas - https://savethekoala.com/about-koalas/what-to-do-if-you-find-sick-injured-or-dead-koala/.