Finding Sanctuary For Koalas

Creating a Chlamydia-free community of Koalas

In the wild, Koalas are being decimated by habitat loss, climate change, and the infectious disease chlamydia. Left untreated chlamydia causes blindness, infertility, even death. Aussie Ark’s mission is to eliminate chlamydia from the Koalas naturally occurring in our 400-hectare Barrington Wildlife Sanctuary. We engaged a specialist Koala capture and vet team to catch the eight Koalas (including a gorgeous joey!) and test and treat them all for chlamydia. Post treatment – and chlamydia-free – the eight Koalas returned to the Barrington Wildlife Sanctuary. They were fitted with innovative satellite trackers, for ongoing monitoring and intervention. This state-of-the-art technology enables the Aussie Ark team to monitor their movements and behaviour daily. We will also conduct ongoing health checks to ensure the population is genetically robust and strong, for many years to come.

Once our Koalas are chlamydia-free they will become one of the most genetically important cohorts in Australia, and this pilot program becomes a blueprint for Koala management nationwide. We plan to augment the population with more Koalas in the future, with the promise of many more healthy joeys! The equipment, medications, and staffing required for this ongoing monitoring and intervention is expensive. But we think every Koala is worth it!

As a not-for-profit charity conservation organization we rely on donations to continue this vital work. This is your chance to meet our eight wonderful Koalas; Flora, Grevillea, Gerbert, Manna, Blue, Scribbs, Banksia and joey Gymea. Read their stories, connect with their personalities, and feel free to choose your favourite as you join the donor journey.

Please help Aussie Ark help our Koalas by donating today and feel inspired, knowing you’re playing an active role saving this Australian icon.