Aerial Cull of Koalas Amid Habitat Devastation Sparks Outrage

In a disturbing development, koalas are being shot dead by snipers from helicopters, as the Australian government enforces a cull following the destruction of their habitat caused by a recent wildfire. Activists have voiced their outrage over the situation, with reports suggesting that more than 700 koalas have already been killed, raising concerns that the death toll could continue to climb in the days ahead.

The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) is conducting aerial patrols in the Budj Bim world heritage area in south-west Victoria, where a lightning strike ignited a wildfire last month. Authorities are implementing this cull in response to fears that the koalas may face starvation due to the loss of roughly 2,000 hectares of their natural environment. However, local communities have expressed their disgust, with Jess Robertson, president of the Koala Alliance, criticizing the method as ineffective for assessing the health of the animals from the air.

A spokesperson from the Koala Alliance shared images of helicopters hovering above the devastated landscape on social media, emphasizing the distress caused by the cull. They highlighted the fact that these koalas had come from a blue gum plantation that was recently harvested, and are still being targeted by DEECA. Concerns were raised that if koalas are shot out of trees, their dependent young, known as joeys, would be left to suffer, leading to further cruelty and suffering.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has defended the culling approach, stating that the koalas targeted were severely injured and in distress. She asserted that expert assessments led to the decision to carry out the cull and addressed the situation as a necessary response to the aftermath of the wildfire. However, wildlife researchers have criticized this policy, suggesting it exemplifies ongoing mismanagement of koala populations and their habitats. Rolf Schlagloth from CQUniversity Australia pointed out that while bushfires cannot be entirely prevented, more robust and interconnected forests can mitigate the risks associated with them. He also emphasized that euthanasia should be reserved for cases where animals are severely injured, arguing that the current method is haphazard and lacks consideration for the welfare of the koalas.