Canfield P J
Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
J Wildl Dis. 1991 Oct;27(4):657-60. doi: 10.7589/0090-3558-27.4.657.
Between 1984 and 1990, 75 koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) from the central northern coast of New South Wales (Australia) were presented for necropsy due to motor vehicle accidents. The koalas consisted of 44 males and 31 females. Fifty one of these were between 2 and 7 yr (39 males and 12 females). The greater proportion of koalas, especially males, were struck by vehicles between June and December. The main injuries detected were head injuries (44), hemoperitoneum (16), limb injuries (16), hemothorax (15) and spinal injuries (7). Nine koalas were not dead at the time of the accident but died later following complications from the trauma. Twelve koalas had evidence of underlying disease at the time of accident. Ten of these had either conjunctivitis, cystitis, prostatitis, periovarian cysts, endometritis or a combination of the diseases. All 10 koalas still had good body condition. It is suggested that healthy young to middle-aged males are particularly prone to vehicular accidents during the mating period. This has implications for the management of local koala populations.
1984年至1990年间，来自新南威尔士州（澳大利亚）中北部海岸的75只树袋熊（灰树袋熊）因机动车事故被送来进行尸检。这些树袋熊包括44只雄性和31只雌性。其中51只年龄在2至7岁之间（39只雄性和12只雌性）。在6月至12月期间，被车辆撞击的树袋熊比例更高，尤其是雄性。检测到的主要损伤有头部损伤（44例）、腹腔积血（16例）、肢体损伤（16例）、血胸（15例）和脊柱损伤（7例）。9只树袋熊在事故发生时并未死亡，但后来因创伤并发症而死亡。12只树袋熊在事故发生时有潜在疾病的迹象。其中10只患有结膜炎、膀胱炎、前列腺炎、卵巢周围囊肿、子宫内膜炎或这些疾病的组合。所有10只树袋熊的身体状况仍然良好。研究表明，健康的年轻至中年雄性在交配期特别容易发生车辆事故。这对当地树袋熊种群的管理具有重要意义。
