Summary: Australian scientists have tested a new vaccine on wild koalas that could hold a cure for their chlamydia. The disease had threatened the population of their marsupial, but it looks like now they have little to worry about, besides regaining the numbers they've lost. The population of wild koalas has plummeted over the years and now it is estimated that there are only 43,000 left in the wild. Chlamydia in koalas can lead to blindness, infertility and death. The researchers found that the koalas who received the vaccine did not go on to develop the full blown disease. Although the Australian government has classified koalas as a vulnerable species, it seems as though there may be some hope for them on the horizon. This is a world issue because it concerns the population of a species of animal only found in one part of the globe, and it would be a shame if they all died out.
Analysis: It's great that scientists were able to come up with a vaccine for this disease! The number of koalas alive in the wild today doesn't seem all that bad, but considering it has dropped 80%, an effort does need to be given to boost their population. It's good that we have these sorts of people to look after endangered animal populations, though, to try and save them before its too late.
Source: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-29828269
It really is great that scientists are doing something about this terrible problem with the Koalas. It's such a terrible thing that we've been killing the environment without knowing it for a really long time.
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