Sam the Koala dies

[Miss Chicken]

Sam, the koala whose story touched the hearts of of millions around the world, has died

SAM the koala, who became a worldwide symbol of hope in the aftermath of the Black Saturday bushfires, has died.

She was expected to undergo surgery today to treat cysts as a result of urogenital chlamydiosis, a life-threatening disease that affects 50% of the koala population.

Vet John Butler told waiting media outside Morwell Veterinary Clinic this afternoon that due to complications with the disease, the best course of action was to put Sam down.
Mr Butler said that due to "extensive changes" in the condition of bladder and uterus this morning, the decision was taken to put Sam down before surgery to prevent her suffering too much pain.

“Dr John Butler of the Morwell Vet Clinic operated on Sam shortly after 1pm today and discovered that Sam had severe changes in her urinary and reproductive tract that was non-operable and unfortunately had to put Sam to sleep," said Peita Elkhorne of TressCox Lawyers.

"The changes were consistent with the Chlamydia infection. It was so severe that there was no possible way to be able to manage her pain.

Very sad. Rest of story here

and the original video

 

[RJDiogenes]

^^ That video link links back to this Thread. I think this is the right one.

Poor Sam. What a shame that she couldn't be saved after all she went through.

 

[Miss Chicken]

^^^Thanks for correcting the link.

it is a tragedy that the koala population is being threatened by this disease. It affect the reproductive tract and I believe makes many female loalas infertile.

 

[Thespeckledkiwi]

Noooooo Sam

I love koala bears. I'm really sad about this news.

 

[RJDiogenes]

^^^Thanks for correcting the link.

You're welcome.

it is a tragedy that the koala population is being threatened by this disease. It affect the reproductive tract and I believe makes many female loalas infertile.

Indeed. If it affects 50% of the population and can kill and sterilize, it's a huge threat to the Koalas. I hope something can be done quickly.

 

[auntiehill]

Awwww. Poor little thing.

 

[Miss Chicken]

^^^Thanks for correcting the link.

You're welcome.

it is a tragedy that the koala population is being threatened by this disease. It affect the reproductive tract and I believe makes many female loalas infertile.

Indeed. If it affects 50% of the population and can kill and sterilize, it's a huge threat to the Koalas. I hope something can be done quickly.

I believe that researchers are very close to developing a vaccine to protect koalas from this disease.

But even whent here is a vaccine that means that a way will have to be found to give it to wild koalas.

 

[RJDiogenes]

Maybe they'll be able to develop an oral vaccine and leave it in food for them.

 

[Lookingglassman]

I was pulling for this little girl. I read how the surgery was risky and she might die, but I was hoping it wouldnt kill her. This is sad news.

 

[Miss Chicken]

Maybe they'll be able to develop an oral vaccine and leave it in food for them.

They only eat eucalyptus leaves and they don't come down from trees all that often so I imagine that leaving it in food isn't really an option.

They will have to do what they currently do to catch koalas but this is very time consuming.

 

[RJDiogenes]

Poor Koala. Too bad cures and vaccines aren't as contagious as diseases.