Koala Euthanasia More Common Than Treatment and Release on East Coast

Koalas admitted to veterinary hospitals on the Australian east coast are at a high risk of euthanasia, according to recent research. A University of Queensland (UQ) study analysed records of over 50,000 koala sightings and hospital admissions from 1967 to 2019 and found that euthanasia was the most common outcome. An author of the study, Renae Charalambous, said that just 25 percent of koalas rescued and admitted to hospitals went on to be released into an appropriate habitat. “Many of the animals died before arriving at a vet hospital and those that did make it were often euthanised on the grounds of welfare, despite vets and carers doing their best to save them,” she said....