Backlash Over Aerial Culling of Koalas in Victoria Sparks Urgent Calls for Reform

The state government of Victoria, Australia, is encountering backlash after conducting an aerial culling of hundreds of koalas, specifically in Budj Bim National Park. This operation has resulted in the death of nearly 700 koalas, leaving numerous joeys without their mothers. Animal welfare organizations are raising alarms about the welfare of these orphaned young and have urged for an independent assessment of the government's approach.

The culling effort commenced in early April following destructive bushfires that devastated over 2,000 hectares of koala habitat, leading to widespread starvation, dehydration, and injury among the remaining koala population. While officials state that euthanizing these koalas was necessary to alleviate their suffering, the chosen method—shooting from helicopters—has incited immediate backlash. Critics argue that evaluating koala health from the air is inherently flawed, emphasizing that the distance of up to 30 meters creates a high risk of mistakenly shooting healthy koalas, including mothers with joeys.

Friends of the Earth Melbourne has voiced strong opposition to the culling method, insisting that aerial shooting should only be considered as a last resort and expressing a need for the operation to be halted until independent observers can assess the situation on the ground. This event marks a troubling first in Australia as koalas have never before been culled using this aerial method, setting what advocacy groups consider a dangerous ethical precedent.

While aerial culling is not unprecedented for managing animal populations in Australia, such practices are typically reserved for species like brumbies and deer. The area affected by the culling has been closed off, limiting access to coalition rescuers who might assist orphaned joeys, raising concerns about the fate of these young koalas left behind. Koala Alliance has echoed these worries, highlighting the dire implications for the orphaned joeys left vulnerable in the aftermath of their mothers being shot.

The situation has drawn attention to broader issues threatening koala populations in Australia. Koalas are currently recognized as endangered in several regions, including Queensland and New South Wales, with threats from deforestation, plantation expansion, and increasingly frequent bushfires jeopardizing their survival. Furthermore, wildlife advocates are calling on the Victorian government to stop the harvesting of eucalyptus trees on nearby properties, stressing that remaining koalas need access to food and shelter to endure. While Premier Jacinta Allan defends the operation by citing expert veterinary advice and thorough assessments, the demand for an independent review continues to grow, with calls for third-party scientists and veterinarians to evaluate the culling's conduct and necessity.