One of Ocean Park’s three koalas was euthanised on Monday morning after suffering from kidney failure brought on by oxalate nephrosis, an incurable disease.
According to a statement released by Ocean Park, oxalate nephrosis is a disease which occurs in the South Australia koala population, where the marsupials originated.
Three-year-old Merinda was one of the two female koalas at the Adventures in Australia exhibit, which also features laughing kookaburras and red-necked wallabies.
In April 2015, Merinda was found to have calcium oxalate crystals in her urine, a symptom of oxalate nephrosis. Following nearly a year of intensive care and treatment, Dr. Ian Hough of Cleland Wildlife Park recommended that Merinda be put to sleep.
Suzanne Gendron, executive director of Zoological Operations and Education at Ocean Park, said the two parks’ joint veterinary team decided that euthanasia would be the most humane option, in light of Merinda’s deteriorating health after failing to respond to treatment.
Merinda and her fellow South Australian koalas Dougie (male) and Yani (female) arrived in Hong Kong from Cleland Wildlife Park in October 2014, and showed no symptoms for the first few months.
According to Hough, the cause of oxalate nephrosis is still being researched, and the disease has been observed in koalas under two years of age.
“While Ocean Park is deeply saddened for the loss of Merinda, we are supporting research in South Australia to understand this disease and will work closely with Cleland Wildlife Park as we advance diagnostic techniques,” said Gendron.
“In the meantime, [Merinda’s] test results […] will be analysed, which will contribute to our collective knowledge about the disease.”
At the moment, Dougie and Yani are reported to be in healthy and stable condition, and will continue to be provided with “the best possible care”.
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