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Support for Premier's statement on the threatened status of Queensland's koala population
August 8, 2008
QUT’s Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation researchers, Professor Peter Timms and Professor Ken Beagley have thrown their support behind Premier Anna Bligh’s statement regarding the imminent threat to the long term survival of Southeast Queensland’s koala population. The effects of habitat destruction, dog attacks, car accidents and Chlamydial disease are all converging to put many of the populations of koalas in Queensland’s Southeast region under real threat. “While habitat destruction is clearly a major factor, when it is combined with chlamydial disease, the combination can be lethal”, said Professor Timms. Most hospitals and koala care centres are reporting rising levels of serious clinical disease, due to Chlamydia. “The solution will have to occur on all fronts, including habitat improvements, the possibility of tighter regulations for dog owners, tunnels under some busy roads and the possibility of developing a vaccine for Chlamydia”, said Professor Timms. What is important now is that action starts on multiple fronts.
For more information about ihbi's research into a Chlamydia vaccine, see:
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