Koalas Dying From STDs, Loss of Habitat

[LuvNewcastle]

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/12/13/australia.koalas/

Australian Wildlife Hospital, Australia (CNN) -- On the operating table lies a sick koala. He's just been brought in by a driver who found the animal sitting in the middle of a busy road. Veterinarian Claude Lacasse determines the koala has not been hit by a car but she immediately detects one serious problem facing many of the marsupials: Chlamydia, a disease which can lead to a very slow and painful death for koalas living in the wild.

Koalas generate almost US$1 billion for the Australian economy, thanks to tourists who come to see this national icon. But these cuddly creatures are under serious threat from infectious disease and habitat loss and some scientists believe they are facing extinction.

"Extinction is inevitable in some areas," according to Dr Jon Hanger, a veterinary scientist at Australia Zoo's Wildlife Hospital. "I certainly hope we don't see it across Australia. But if we don't take the decline seriously and pick up on the warning signs now it's certainly a risk."

-snip-

Besides Chlamydia, there is another disease plaguing these marsupials -- and there is no vaccine or cure and it's spreading rapidly.

Koala AIDS or KIDS (Koala Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is similar to AIDS in humans. The immune system of the animals is weakened and they are made susceptible to cancer and other deadly infections.

The hospital's head veterinary scientist, Dr. Jon Hanger, discovered the retro virus causing the condition and says it's just as severe as AIDS in humans but affects koalas more quickly. "It's knocking off a large proportion of koalas that come into this hospital and that means a large number in the bush are dying from it too."

The disease is spread by koalas coming into contact with each other. Hanger believes most of the animals carry the virus, but only some are predisposed to it becoming full-blown KIDS.

[LeftyMom]

1. Who are we to interfere with God's punishment for slutty koalas?

Maybe Australia can get some US money to teach koalas to wait until marriage.

[LuvNewcastle]

6. We could send Sarah Palin to talk to the koalas

about abstinence...... oh, never mind.

[charlie]

2. Some are calling this the "6th Great Extinction"

The last one was 65 million years ago, caused by an asteroid, volcanism, or both. This time, it's largely us. The rate species are disappearing today is measured in minutes.

We have no idea what we've done to our home, nor where our wanton wreckage is taking us.

[Are_grits_groceries]

3. Just substitute GOP for koalas,

and you have another accurate headline probably.

[JVS]

4. Koala condoms are needed for this problem

[Are_grits_groceries]

5. The Pope heard that. nt

[Solly Mack]

7. Several years ago they (Koalas) were having a chlamydia outbreak

It was pretty bad. Reproductive rates went down. Then came a vaccine which helped

Stresses from loss of habitat was abiggie...fewer numbers/fewer resources/less diversity/less healthy animals - all directly impact chlamydia rates. The organism has been present for years and usually not as harmful in a healthy habitat.


...and now KIDS

Cute adorable nasty little furry horndogs

[TexasObserver]

8. Until Glenn Beck can prove he didn't give the Koalas STDs, I'm blaming him.

[Delphinus]

9. This is so sad.

Thanks, all, for sharing your knowledge.

[goldcanyonaz]

10. I had no idea, thank you for posting this.

Fascinating.

[MercutioATC]

11. Koalas are whores.