(Image source: ecollo)
BY ZHENG HWUANG CHIA
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Koala bears. They’re cute and cuddly - but sadly - they’re also decreasing in numbers.
According to French newspaper Le Monde - scientists estimate Australia’s koala bear population at somewhere between 50,000 and 100,000. The number has decreased as much as 80% since the 1990s. Several factors pushing koala bears close to extinction include urbanization and farming - and also - Chlamydia.
Chlamydia? As in -- the STI? Yes, even koala bears get them. How? The Friends of the Koalas says - we’re clueless.
“Some of the possible explanations are via introduction of infected mammals to Australia... exposure to it during the koala's evolution, or or a combination of these factors.... Chlamydia is readily transmitted to young in the birth canal and via pap. Mating, and possible fighting and other incidental contact are also likely sources of infection.”
As if the disease weren’t bad enough -- outside conditions can make the situation worse. In 2010 -- The Week reported...
“The rate of infection... flare up when the animals are under stress. Development ... and drier weather ... are (stressing koalas out by) ... shrinking their dietary staple, eucalyptus leaves. This is especially hard on koalas, since they are ‘notoriously fussy about what types of eucalyptus leaves they eat’..."
If this has been an ongoing problem - why do we not hear much about it? AOL News looked at the issue in 2010 and reported - we’re talking money here.
“Koalas are estimated to have a $1 billion impact on (Australia’s) tourism industry. What tourist, after all, would want to be photographed with an animal known for its chlamydia? It's a benefit to the tourism industry that you don't see koalas with disease.”
AOL spoke to a University of Queensland researcher who said -- 50-80 percent of the koala population has chlamydia. Effects include kidney damage, conjunctivitis and incontinence.
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