A groundbreaking new discovery could help save the Australian koala, one of the nation’s most beloved animals.
Researchers have found koalas from a population north of the Brisbane River have developed a unique genetic immunity to the deadly koala retrovirus, offering new hope for the species’ survival.
The retrovirus weakens the koala’s immune system, making them vulnerable to infections such as chlamydia which has devastated populations across Queensland and New South Wales.
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Chlamydia causes blindness, urinary tract infections and infertility, further threatening koala populations already struggling with habitat loss.
But this new research, led by experts from The University of Queensland and UMass Chan Medical School, shows about 30 per cent of koalas in the Sunshine Coast hinterland have evolved a genomic adaptation that suppresses the retrovirus.
“This genetic switch could help us reduce rates of chlamydia and other health issues linked to the retrovirus,” UQ’s Australian Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology Professor Keith Chappell said.
This “genomic immunity” is inherited, meaning it could be passed down to future generations.
Research leader Dr Michaela Blyton said: “Koalas with this trait could be used in breeding programs to help protect other populations.”
The researchers hope this significant finding will give koalas from affected areas a stronger chance at survival, and provide a crucial step toward safeguarding the future of Australia’s iconic marsupial.
