Wildlife Health Australia coordinated an inclusive and collegial collaboration process for development of the National guidance for vaccination of koalas against chlamydia, which has just been published by the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water.
A diverse range of expertise was enlisted to help draft the Guidance, including leading experts in koala health, management and vaccinology, and government representatives, scientists, veterinarians, rehabilitators, Traditional Custodians, non-government organisation officers, ecologists, landowners and zoo workers.
Dr Andrea Reiss and Dr Emma Hobbs lead WHA’s Koala Health Project with oversight from Program Manager Dr Simone Vitali. Andrea explained that the project’s wide consultation process which included an Indigenous reference group ensured “validation against the needs of ‘on the ground’ koala health response agencies and decision-makers, resulting in practical, feasible and effective guidance.”
WHA is committed to leading effective collaboration to address wildlife health risks whilst engaging with communities to deliver better wildlife health outcomes. The collaborative process of developing the Guidance received overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants, such as:
“The WHA team provided an encouraging culture so everyone could contribute openly, with plenty of opportunity to share ideas.” (Anonymised feedback received from an Expert Working Group member.)
The Guidance is a first-of-its kind decision support tool to enable strategic and effective implementation of chlamydia vaccination in koala conservation planning. It has been developed by WHA to provide nationally consistent, evidence-based, transparent guidance to koala managers, veterinarians and other stakeholders. It includes key principles and processes that managers should consider prior to, and during, the implementation of a chlamydia vaccination program for koalas.
Chlamydia was identified in WHA’s previous work on the National Koala Disease Risk Analysis as the most important disease posing significant risks to koala populations.
“Vaccination of koalas against chlamydia will aid conservation of the species,” Andrea said.
“Whilst disease is a natural part of ecosystems, disease impacts are inextricably linked to a number of other threats faced by koalas. Disease places significant additional pressure on wild koala populations already suffering the cumulative impacts of severe non-disease threats, such as habitat loss,” she said.
Publication of the National guidance for vaccination of koalas against chlamydia reflects WHA’s work to bolster resilience and advance wildlife health for a healthier future for all. WHA’s Koala Health Project team are also working to finalise National guidance on management of koalas in natural disasters, which will be published in the coming months.
You can also view the National guidance for vaccination of koalas against chlamydia guidance on DCCEEW’s website.
Photo Courtesy of David Clode (Unsplash)