Australia has approved a world-first vaccine to protect koalas from chlamydia. This disease causes infertility and death in the endangered species. Developed by the University of the Sunshine Coast, the single-dose vaccine reduces symptoms and mortality by at least 65%. Approval means it can now be used in wildlife hospitals and in the field. Some conservationists argue resources should focus on habitat preservation. Koalas face threats from habitat loss, climate change and disease. Experts warn that without action, koalas could become extinct by 2050. The vaccine is part of a broader effort to save them.
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FILE - A koala sits in a tree at a koala park in Sydney, Australia, May 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Mark Baker, File)
FILE - A koala sits in a tree at a koala park in Sydney, Australia, May 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Mark Baker, File)