Saving koalas from disease

A koala eats gum leaves at a koala park in Sydney, Australia. Australian scientists have begun vaccinating wild koalas against chlamydia in a pioneering field trial in New South Wales. — AP

AUSTRALIAN scientists have begun vaccinating wild koalas against chlamydia in an ambitious field trial in New South Wales.

The aim is to test a method for protecting the beloved marsupials against a widespread disease that causes blindness, infertility and death.