The paradox of euthanizing koalas (Phascolarctos Cinereus) to save populations from elimination

David P Wilson; Andrew P Craig; Jon Hanger; Peter Timms

doi:10.7589/2014-12-278

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The paradox of euthanizing koalas (Phascolarctos Cinereus) to save populations from elimination

Journal article

Peer reviewed

The paradox of euthanizing koalas (Phascolarctos Cinereus) to save populations from elimination

David P Wilson, Andrew P Craig, Jon Hanger and Peter Timms

Journal of Wildlife Diseases, Vol.51(4), pp.833-842

2015

DOI: https://doi.org/10.7589/2014-12-278

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Abstract

Australia

chlamydia

culling

koalas

mathematical modelling

Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) populations in the wild are in sharp decline in Australia due to deforestation, road accidents, dog attacks, and disease from infection with sexually transmitted Chlamydia spp. Severely diseased koalas that are captured are euthanized for humane reasons because antibiotics are not effective. Paradoxically, we propose that euthanizing more koalas could help to increase koala population numbers. We investigated the potential impact of systematically euthanizing diseased koalas. Using data from a well-studied koala population, and an individual-based computer simulation model, we predict that such a program would result in a larger population of koalas after 7 yr than would exist without the program. If terminally diseased and sterile koalas are euthanized and other infected captured koalas are given antibiotics, chlamydial infection could be eliminated and population growth observed after 4 yr. The practical implementation of such a program would be facilitated with further development of tools to diagnose infection and internal disease in the field.

Details

Title: The paradox of euthanizing koalas (Phascolarctos Cinereus) to save populations from elimination
Authors: David P Wilson (Author) - University of New South Wales
Andrew P Craig (Author) - University of New South Wales
Jon Hanger (Author) - Endeavour Veterinary Ecology Pty Ltd
Peter Timms (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Publication details: Journal of Wildlife Diseases, Vol.51(4), pp.833-842
Publisher: Wildlife Disease Association, Inc.
Date published: 2015
DOI: 10.7589/2014-12-278
ISSN: 0090-3558
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Centre for Bioinnovation
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99449499302621
Output Type: Journal article

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Web Of Science research areas: Veterinary Sciences

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