Why hundreds of Koalas are being shot dead from helicopters | World | News
Over 700 koalas have been shot dead by snipers from helicopters with activists fearing more will be killed in the coming days. Australian authorities have taken drastic measures to cull the iconic mammals after a wildfire devastated 20% of their habitat last month.
The cull in the Budj Bim National Park in western Victoria began in early April but it only came to light on Good Friday. The government says the cull was urgent because koalas had been left starving, dehydrated or burned after bushfires destroyed 2,000 hectares of habitat. The Government says the controversial euthanesia is necessary to prevent their suffering, however, wildlife groups argue it is impossible to assess the health of koalas from the air.
Wildlife groups have also expressed concern that shooting the iconic Australian animal from the air increased the chances of killing healthy koalas including mums with baby joeys.
Calling the operation a “nasty ethical precedent” Friends of the Earth Melbourne are demanding for the cull to be put on hold.
The organisation said: “The use of aerial shooting should be treated as a last resort. This is the first time that koalas have been killed by shooting from a helicopter in Australia.
“Aerial culling of koalas is an Australian first and sets a nasty ethical precedent.”
Koalas are also under threat in other states of Australia including New South Wales, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory.
However, in Victoria, where the Budj Bim National Park is located, koala population levels are secure.
The disconcerning operation has also evoked widespread criticism from local communites who fear their undeniably cute and cuddly-looking koalas are in danger.
Concerns have been raised about the methods questionable efficacy as it is possible that a number of koalas could have been seriously injured but not killed.
A Koala Alliance spokesman told The Indpendent: “There is no way they can tell if a koala is in poor condition from a helicopter.”
“If koalas were shot out of trees, this means many joeys would be left to suffer and die. It’s despicable. It’s cruel. This is exactly why DEECA never wanted the public to know.”
