Koala Deadly Illness Persist at American Zoo
Koala Deadly Illness Persist at American Zoo
ANOTHER Queensland koala has developed a fatal illness in an American zoo and is likely to die within weeks.
The male koala has been diagnosed with cancer, and experts at South Carolina's Riverbanks Zoo, in Columbia, have decided not to use chemotherapy.
In 2003 Queensland sent the zoo the first two koalas to travel to the US for more than a decade. The animals were subsequently joined by koalas bred in other countries, including Japan.
Reports from the US said the sick male had come from Queensland, described as South Carolina's sister state. The zoo has not named the sick koala.
The zoo's koalas are one of Riverbanks' most popular exhibits. There is even a koala webcam.
But the koala program has attracted controversy and two others have died since the Koala Knockabout exhibit opened.
A gastrointestinal ailment killed another male in 2003 and the only baby koala born at Riverbanks – named Karoo – died of pneumonia in 2005.
News of his impending birth had been proudly announced by Premier Peter Beattie, who also announced his death.
After the first two losses Riverbanks paid for two koala experts from Australia to come to Columbia and review how the zoo treated the animals. They found no major problems with Riverbanks' facilities or procedures.
The only other koalas at the zoo are two females, and Riverbanks executive director Satch Krantz said he did not know if the zoo would get more males.
"It's up to Australia," he said.
Meanwhile, the sick male koala will be kept at Koala Knockabout, but out of public view.
A worker at the zoo found a large node on the male koala's neck a week ago.
Zoo veterinarian Keith Benson removed it and tests showed it was cancerous.
"We're not shooting for a cure here," Mr Benson said yesterday.
"We're just making him as comfortable as possible."
Cancer treatments have been tried on koalas with poor results.
Associated Press
ANOTHER Queensland koala has developed a fatal illness in an American zoo and is likely to die within weeks.
The male koala has been diagnosed with cancer, and experts at South Carolina's Riverbanks Zoo, in Columbia, have decided not to use chemotherapy.
In 2003 Queensland sent the zoo the first two koalas to travel to the US for more than a decade. The animals were subsequently joined by koalas bred in other countries, including Japan.
Reports from the US said the sick male had come from Queensland, described as South Carolina's sister state. The zoo has not named the sick koala.
The zoo's koalas are one of Riverbanks' most popular exhibits. There is even a koala webcam.
But the koala program has attracted controversy and two others have died since the Koala Knockabout exhibit opened.
A gastrointestinal ailment killed another male in 2003 and the only baby koala born at Riverbanks – named Karoo – died of pneumonia in 2005.
News of his impending birth had been proudly announced by Premier Peter Beattie, who also announced his death.
After the first two losses Riverbanks paid for two koala experts from Australia to come to Columbia and review how the zoo treated the animals. They found no major problems with Riverbanks' facilities or procedures.
The only other koalas at the zoo are two females, and Riverbanks executive director Satch Krantz said he did not know if the zoo would get more males.
"It's up to Australia," he said.
Meanwhile, the sick male koala will be kept at Koala Knockabout, but out of public view.
A worker at the zoo found a large node on the male koala's neck a week ago.
Zoo veterinarian Keith Benson removed it and tests showed it was cancerous.
"We're not shooting for a cure here," Mr Benson said yesterday.
"We're just making him as comfortable as possible."
Cancer treatments have been tried on koalas with poor results.
Associated Press
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