I don't apologise for the graphic nature of the photo showing koala disease, rather than cute and cuddly koalas only. This is the reality of the situation that is causing our koalas to be classed vulnerable. This is Greta. I guess she wasn't just being coy in the last photo, maybe she wanted to hide her sore eye?
We were able to catch her a while after I took this photo and I went with her to the vet.
She has had a full work up, and the good news is there is no sign of the chlamydia in her urogenital system. This is incredibly good news as the bladder and kidney damage and internal cysts that develop sign the death knell for female koalas. We hope that we can treat this now and get her back home safely.
It was actually a bit odd as she only has the weeping from the one eye, no other sign on very close inspection that we normally see with conjunctivitis, but antibiotics have been started and we are waiting for test results on chlamydia to come back.
I am so honoured to be working in a voluntary capacity with Friends of the Koala as well as working on regenerating the habitat here on my own land. If koalas disappear the world will just never be the same!
Poor Greta -- her eye does seem sore -- I hope the antibiotics work and the test results for chlamydia will be negative . While being treated is she kept at the vets or is she in a confined space/area at your place ? Do keep us up to date on her progress . Lucky girl to be in such safe and capable hands !
@beryl thanks Beryl - she is at the Friends of the Koala care centre. At present she is in a room inside while she adjusts to being treated, but in a couple of days time she will go to an outside run.
I will update you all. She is precious! @joannakate yes, I'm nearly in SEQ area, just a bit south of the border.
The problems are complex. Chlamydia just makes them so much more vulnerable to dogs and roads.
Today I rescue a male barely a km up the road - he was nearly blind his eyes were so bad, but he had been hit by a car. Punctured lungs, it's just tragic. Of course it wasn't the person who hit him that called him in :(
Awwwwww so so sorry for the poor male .. I hope he is doing well?? and the little girl in the above photo, hope she keeps improving!! ... Love all your shots of them all ... please keep us up dated with them both!! ... you and your friends are doing a wonderful job in saving our beautiful Koala's!! xoxo from far Nth Qld.
I hope she heals well and is in good health. So sad when wildlife is badly treated. Why not just make a phone call, at least then there is no need for the animal to suffer.
I hope Greta's eye improves quickly, and I'm glad her health is good apart from her eye! Will she come back to your neighborhood when she's ready, so you can watch for her? I am so sorry for the male koala, too.
Great capture, details...Even though it's not your typical cute shot, it shows the distress that can happen to koalas or any animal. Wishing Greta well :).
i really hope Greta makes a full recovery and is able to return to her safe haven on your property. Well done for noticing her distress and acting so quickly.
Really sad to see them like that. So hopefully she will fully recover and have that so cute face again. Must be a lot of fun being around them all of the time like that.
I will update you all. She is precious!
@joannakate yes, I'm nearly in SEQ area, just a bit south of the border.
The problems are complex. Chlamydia just makes them so much more vulnerable to dogs and roads.
Today I rescue a male barely a km up the road - he was nearly blind his eyes were so bad, but he had been hit by a car. Punctured lungs, it's just tragic. Of course it wasn't the person who hit him that called him in :(