Stressed koalas are facing a deadly epidemic

Researchers have shown that stress and retrovirus levels are tightly linked to disease in koalas. High KoRV loads make koalas more vulnerable to chlamydia, worsening epidemics in stressed populations. Protecting habitats, careful breeding, and antiviral trials are now being pursued to give koalas a fighting chance at survival.

source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250923021207.htm