In a landmark move for wildlife conservation, Australia has greenlit the world’s first vaccine to protect koalas from chlamydia – a disease decimating wild populations of the beloved marsupial. Developed over a decade by researchers at the University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC), the vaccine received regulatory approval this week, offering hope for a species increasingly threatened by infections that cause blindness, infertility, and death.
Chlamydia, transmitted through breeding, affects up to 70% of koalas in some regions. The single-dose vaccine, approved for use in wildlife hospitals and field settings, has shown a 65% reduction in mortality during trials. “This breakthrough addresses a critical gap in koala survival,” said UniSC microbiologist Peter Timms, emphasizing that traditional antibiotic treatments often disrupt koalas’ digestion of eucalyptus leaves, their sole food source.
With clinical data spanning 10 years confirming its safety, the vaccine marks a turning point for Australia’s conservation efforts. As koala populations face habitat loss and climate pressures, this innovation could help stabilize vulnerable ecosystems while attracting global attention to wildlife health challenges.
