Freezing koala sperm could become a key part of a strategy to save koalas
from extinction by 2050. University of Newcastle scientists say koala
“biobanking” could be harnessed with IVF technology to help the
endangered species reproduce. An estimated 64,000 koalas were killed when 5.5m
hectares were ravaged by the 2019-20 black summer bushfires in NSW. The federal
government listed the species as endangered in February and released a national
plan to boost their numbers on the east coast. What are your thoughts
LiveTribers? Can koala IVF help save species from extinction?
Posted by on 05 May 2022
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maverick64
With modern technology it is the way of the future especially freezing sperm
will encourage more encouragement to bring back the population we need to
protect our wildlife and move forward for future generations they are so cute.
If modern medical technology can help save Koalas and any other species from
extinction, then I think it is a great idea. It's too late once they've gone. Of
course, we should not rely on IVF alone, protecting and improving habitats
should be a priority.
Where I am, in SW VIC, farmers are cutting down the trees that Koalas feed from
and I see a roadkill koala on my little quiet country road at least twice a
month. I'm not IVF is the solution. I think habitat and protection and
education/grants? for humans to plant more koala habitats would be a better
starting point?
Much as I believe in bio freezing Koala sperm, if we are destroying their
particular gum trees faster than the trees can regenerate, think as the human
population increases the Koala is a almost doomed species.
I have one in my trees in the front yard atm. Been there for a couple of days,
but will probably move along tonight, or the next.Quite a common occurrence on
the Fleurieu Peninsula in SA
Being heavily involved through the Queensland Koala Crusaders with rescuing and
rehabilitation of koalas I say it is absolutely pointless looking into any more
projects to increase numbers unless we can stop the rapid destruction of their
habitat. The bushfires were catastrophic and so have been the recent floods but
almost NOTHING has been done to reforest and repair the acres upon acres of
vital food trees destroyed. So many of those burnt regions have been cleared -
for more housing, shopping centres and transit centres. Koalas cannot just be
put anywhere. Our rescued ones must be returned to certain areas with which they
are familiar or similar. They are extremely fussy eaters and will only eat a few
of the koala food trees. One male requires up to 90 trees in order to survive
and females about 60. We cannot just remove koalas to a new area as they just
come back to their old haunts only to find a shopping centre or retirement
village is there. They they starve, are attacked by dogs or run over by speeding
cars. Those in our care due to being injured, sick or orphaned have to be kept
alive by volunteers collecting leaves from the traditional habitats. No one pays
us for our time, travel costs or our heartbreaks. Governments and developers
MUST BE MADE TO REALISE NO AMOUNT OF MONEY OR RESEARCH COMPENSATES FOR NO FOOD.
The only way to prevent extinction is to maintain and restore their habitats and
donate to our rescuers and carers. If you have read this DO SOMETHING - PLEASE!
