Understanding how environmental and management factors affect koala wellbeing and development of a non-invasive assessment of physiological stress in koalas

Professor Joerg Henning is a veterinary epidemiologist in the School of Veterinary Science at The University of Queensland whose research focuses on wildlife health, disease surveillance, and evidence-based conservation.

A significant part of his work has been dedicated to understanding the health and welfare of Australia's iconic koala populations. Under Professor Henning’s leadership, the team developed KoalaBase for the Queensland Government, a comprehensive koala health and surveillance database that integrates information from multiple stakeholders. KoalaBase provides a valuable platform for monitoring koala populations, identifying emerging threats, and supporting conservation and management decisions through data-driven approaches.

Professor Henning has also led epidemiological investigations into the major threats facing koalas, including vehicle strikes, dog attacks and disease while examining the impacts of habitat loss and climate change. His research applies advanced epidemiological methods to identify risk factors and inform strategies aimed at improving koala welfare and ensuring long-term sustainability of koala population.

In collaboration with Dr Flavia Santamaria, a University of Queensland affiliate, Professor Henning is contributing to the development of an Australian-based test kit for measuring faecal cortisol metabolites in koala scats. This innovative tool will provide a non-invasive method for assessing physiological stress in koalas, enabling researchers, wildlife carers, and conservation managers to better understand how environmental and management factors affect koala wellbeing.

Through these initiatives, Professor Henning's work continues to advance koala conservation by combining epidemiology, animal welfare science, and innovative diagnostic technologies to support the protection of one of Australia's most treasured native species.

Researcher