Australia just made history — and it could mean a brighter future for one of its most beloved species.
The government has officially approved the world's first vaccine to protect koalas from chlamydia, a disease responsible for nearly half of wild koala deaths, NBC News reported.
Koalas may look calm and cuddly, but life in the wild has been tough for them. In addition to habitat loss and devastating bushfires, many populations are battling a chlamydia epidemic that can cause blindness, infertility, and even death. Officials have already listed koalas as endangered in parts of Queensland and New South Wales.
"Some individual colonies are edging closer to local extinction every day," said Peter Timms, a professor of microbiology who led the research at the University of the Sunshine Coast.
After more than a decade of research, scientists have developed a single-dose vaccine that offers koalas three levels of protection: reducing infection rates, halting disease progression, and, in some cases, even reversing symptoms.
"It's quite humbling, really," said Samuel Phillips, a molecular microbiologist and senior researcher on the project. "I can't believe that we did this."
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This breakthrough goes beyond just koalas. These marsupials are a symbol of Australia and a big draw for visitors, which means healthier koala populations can boost local tourism and the small businesses that depend on it. Keeping them safe also helps the communities that take pride in protecting their native wildlife.
Keeping koalas healthy also means the surrounding forests stay thick and green. People nearby get to enjoy shady trees, clean air, and those quiet spots that make living in Australia special.
Australia's new vaccine rollout is part of a growing wave of conservation success stories. Recent efforts include Zoos Victoria's program to save the Victorian grassland earless dragon — a tiny reptile once thought to be extinct — and one couple's rewilding project in South Africa that's helping endangered animals make a comeback.
By giving koalas a fighting chance, scientists are helping make sure future generations can see these iconic marsupials in the wild — and enjoy the thriving forests that make Australia so unique.
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