Koala bear population at risk of extinction because of stress

THE koala, Australia’s star symbol, is dying of stress.

Koalas live in the rolling hills and flat plains where eucalyptus trees grow, because they need the leaves for both food and water. But as people move in the bears are finding themselves with fewer trees, researchers say. The stress is bringing out a latent disease that infects 50% to 90% of the animals.

The problem came to national attention in August, when Sam the Koala died during surgery to treat the disease chlamydia. Chlamydiosis is a virus that breaks out in koalas in times of stress, like cold sores in humans.