It is perhaps the best way to conserve koalas across the world, even ones in captivity overseas. Yes, I am talking of artificial insemination.
In a larger effort to restore the vital genetic diversity of koalas especially needed for those in captivity overseas, scientists at the American zoo are using this new technology to inseminate the koalas living there.
As a trial, the technology will be used by scientists at the Riverbanks Zoo in South Carolina. The process involves ‘just’ chilling of the koala semen for up to 72 hours. It is just enough a period to allow its transportation around the world.
This procedure will also allow test the genetic profiles of the animals needed for disease. Talking on the facilities this insemination practices will provide, Queensland Premier Peter Beattie, who is in the United States on a trade mission, said
That fight against disease is a core of the program. It will limit the need to send koalas around the world.
We are now well on the way to achieving our Queensland koala conservation plan to have artificial insemination become the primary method of introducing new genetic diversity into Queensland and to overseas populations of koalas at zoos.
True, now koalas across the world can be conserved and their diversity introduced without having to find a partner for it to help reproduce.
But, if this becomes a routine, will this not deprive the koalas of their normal genitive life, and eventually lead to abnormal physiological manifestations?
Photo: mossysanimals