Australia's Wildlife Faces Disease Crisis

0:00From Sydney, this is your March 3rd update. Australia's wildlife is facing a wave of troubling diseases. A fungal infection is hitting water dragons in Brisbane and could thread another reptiles. Officials have approved a committee of vaccine for Koala's nationwide to fight the deadly sexually transmitted illness. And tragically, a man in northern New South Wales died from the state's first confirmed case of Australian bat list of iris. Burr flu is raising major alarms too. Suspect signs of the deadly H5 strain have appeared in elephant seals on sub Antarctic herd island. Experts fear this spring could bring the catastrophic virus to the mainland, with calls for better testing labs for endangered sea lions in South. Australia, meanwhile, other animals are struggling. A mystery illness is sweeping western ringtail possums in the southwest, while University of Melbourne research shows infected male alpine tree frogs are breeding more to save their species from chitred fungus. Rescue groups in southern New South Wales have trained over 140 people to treat a fatal skin disease in wombats.

1:06Human impacts are adding to the woes. Wildlife care is worried kangaroo collisions are at record highs in regional Victoria, urging better planning for new housing. Koala's face committee, car strikes, feral attacks and urban sprawl. And on kangaroo island, residents complain about disease risks from bird droppings on playgrounds. Ongoing issues include mass em and deaths in Tasmania, not linked to a recent fish kill, and the closure of one South Australia avaloni fishery due to viral ganglioneratus. A ban on green prawns from the Clarence River might extend two more years, potentially ending an 80-year industry. These researchers are working hard to stay ahead of these threats. D&N is brought to you by our sponsor. When you want calm, do not reach for your phone. Lay back and listen, S-O-L-I-SoliPillow.com.