Ecological studies and management programs involving free-ranging koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) populations occur relatively commonly.
These frequently include capture and restraint, management of health and reproduction, and application of telemetry devices. Veterinary involvement or oversight of these projects is important and often necessary to ensure compliance with federal, state or territory legislation (e.g.
Veterinary Practice Act 2003 [NSW], Animal Care and Protection Act 2001 [Qld]) and that animal welfare standards are met (NSW DPE 2020). Chlamydial disease is common in most northern koala populations and affected koalas may benefit from treatment when scientific objectives are not significantly affected by the removal and treatment of affected individuals. Consistent and reliable population health and fecundity data can be collected when veterinarians are engaged in management programs. Telemetry and identification devices and tags are a common cause of injury and occasionally death, and veterinarians have an important role in monitoring and managing their health and welfare impacts. Veterinary involvement in the management of locally overabundant koala populations, particularly in Vic. and SA, provides valuable expertise and animal welfare oversight (see Chapter 6).This chapter covers topics specific to veterinary involvement with free-ranging koala populations. Other aspects of koala management and health that are also applicable to free-ranging koalas are covered in Blanshard and Bodley (2008), Vitali et al. (2023a, 2023b) and other chapters within this volume.
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