A new national initiative aimed at improving the health and welfare of one of Australia’s most iconic species is underway at Wildlife Health Australia.
The Koala Health Project, funded by the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), will provide national guidance to support the management of two critical koala threats: chlamydia, and natural disasters including bushfire, extreme weather events and floods.
The Koala Health Project will develop national, best-practice guidance for all frontline workers on two key topics:
“By consulting with expert stakeholders to develop clear, evidence-based guidance, we are improving the management of affected koalas and also promoting a common understanding of their health and welfare,” said Dr Simone Vitali, WHA’s Program Manager for Emergencies.
“The Koala Health Project is an important step forward in conservation efforts, addressing key aspects of two high-priority health threats identified by the National Koala Recovery Team.”
WHA is leading a consultative process, bringing together experts such as veterinarians, researchers, government agencies, non-government organisations and Indigenous representatives.
“To ensure we incorporate experience from across Australia, the expert working groups include koala population managers, specialists in koala health and conservation, and an Indigenous reference group that is contributing cultural considerations of koala management to the guidance documents,” Dr Vitali explained.
Drafted documents are reviewed by a wider network of koala health stakeholders to ensure they meet practical needs, and then provided to DCCEEW.
“The end result is that veterinarians, wildlife rehabilitators and decision-makers will have a nationally supported framework to guide their koala response in natural disasters and in vaccinating for chlamydia.”
By fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing, the Koala Health Project represents a major step toward better health and welfare of koalas across Australia.
Photo: Tarryn Grignet (unsplash)