A University of Queensland study has uncovered alarming trends for koalas admitted to veterinary hospitals in South East Queensland.
Read: Uncovering History: Toohey Forest’s Hidden Past
The research, analysing records from 1997 to 2019, shows that euthanasia was the most common outcome for these iconic marsupials.
The study, led by PhD candidate Renae Charalambous, examined over 50,000 koala sightings and hospital admissions. Only 25 percent of rescued koalas were released back into suitable habitats, while diseases like chlamydia accounted for nearly 30 percent of admissions. Car strikes and dog attacks, linked to habitat loss, emerged as significant threats.
“Many of the animals died before arriving at a vet hospital and those that did make it were often euthanised on the grounds of welfare, despite vets and carers doing their best to save them,” said Ms Charalambous.
Ms Charalambous describes the statistics as “grim,” noting that koalas hit by cars were four times more likely to be found dead than treated and released. Adult females and those with chlamydia faced higher risks of euthanasia.
“Seven percent of the koalas admitted to hospital had been attacked by dogs but were twice as likely to be found dead, and if they were taken into care alive, they were twice as likely to be euthanised than released.
This research comes at a critical time, following the reclassification of koalas as endangered in Queensland in 2022. Population estimates suggest koala numbers have halved over the past decade.
Toohey Forest: A Koala Haven at Risk
Toohey Forest, a known koala hotspot in Brisbane, also faces an uncertain future as the city prepares for the 2032 Olympic Games. Recent plans to redevelop the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre (QSAC) for the Olympics have raised alarm among conservationists.
The Quirk Review, assessing potential Olympic venues, suggested that this redevelopment might require clearing local bushland and widening the pathway between QSAC and Griffith University.
Read: Toohey Forest in Tarragindi Continues To Show a Spike in Wildlife Sightings
As planning for the Olympics continues, stakeholders are being urged to consider innovative solutions that can accommodate both urban development and koala conservation. The situation in Toohey Forest serves as a microcosm of the larger challenges facing koala populations across Queensland, emphasising the need for careful urban planning and strong conservation measures.
Published 10-September-2024