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Koalas, one of Australia’s most iconic and vulnerable species, are receiving a significant boost for their survival with the creation of the Great Koala National Park in New South Wales and the introduction of a groundbreaking vaccine to combat a widespread chlamydia epidemic.
The New South Wales government has officially announced the establishment of the Great Koala National Park, following over a decade of advocacy from conservationists. This park will encompass 476,000 hectares, including 176,000 hectares of newly protected state forest, making it one of the largest parks in the state. The initiative is expected to safeguard over 12,000 koalas and more than 100 threatened species, including 36,000 greater gliders. Logging activities within the proposed boundaries have been halted pending the formal establishment of the park.
The park is strategically located inland from Coffs Harbour, extending toward Kempsey and Grafton, and is situated within some of the world’s richest biodiversity hotspots. To support the local economy as the timber industry adjusts, the New South Wales government has introduced a comprehensive support package for affected workers, including financial assistance, retraining opportunities, and mental health services. The park is also anticipated to contribute to eco-tourism, with an additional investment of $60 million (AUD) aimed at boosting tourism and related business development in the area, potentially generating an estimated $163 million (AUD) in economic activity.
In a separate yet equally important development, federal regulators have approved a single-dose vaccine designed to combat the chlamydia epidemic that has been devastating koala populations. Developed by scientists at the University of the Sunshine Coast over more than a decade, this vaccine is the first of its kind and is expected to reduce disease-related deaths by at least 65 percent. Chlamydia affects up to 70 percent of some koala colonies, leading to serious health issues such as blindness and infertility.
The approval of the vaccine is based on extensive research, described as the largest and longest study ever conducted on wild koalas. Plans are in place to distribute the vaccine free of charge to wildlife hospitals and at-risk populations, with hopes for rollout as early as next year, contingent on securing necessary funding.
While these developments represent significant progress in the fight to save koalas, experts emphasize that challenges persist. Habitat loss due to urbanization, land clearing, bushfires, and climate change continues to pose serious threats to the species. The government remains committed to addressing these issues through habitat restoration and monitoring.
With the establishment of the Great Koala National Park and the introduction of the vaccine, conservationists view these milestones as pivotal steps toward ensuring the survival of koalas for future generations.
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