Hundreds of koalas brutally murdered during routine logging
WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES
A few hundred of perhaps Australia’s most beloved animal, koalas, have reportedly been murdered in Victoria this week.
Animals Australia has shared devastating images of injured and dead koalas who were “mowed down” after logging occurred 12km west of Portland.
On becoming aware of this situation on Friday, we flew in a veterinary team from @Vets_Compassion. A second vet team was flown in to assist with the treatment of surviving animals yesterday. pic.twitter.com/sSlF43IbLV
— Animals Australia (@AnimalsAus) February 1, 2020
The species – who are now a threatened species after one of Australia’s worst bushfire season in recorded history – were hurt at a razed bluegum plantation.
“Koalas are having their homes mowed down,” said Animals Australia.
“On becoming aware of this situation on Friday, we flew in a veterinary team,” Animals Australia confirmed on Sunday morning.
“With the support of local authorities and wildlife carers, vets are seeking to save as many of these precious animals as possible.”
The details of this case are still unknown, Animals Australia confirmed on Sunday.
“We are still gathering the details as to what has occurred in this case but it would appear that there are various breaches of legislation, including the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, which we will be supporting authorities to pursue,” they said on social media.
“By law, the companies that own these plantations must provide koala ‘spotters’ to identify koalas in trees before logging commences, so that animals can be safely removed and relocated.
“There is also a legal responsibility to ensure the welfare of koalas after logging has ceased.”
It is assumed that in result of the habitat destruction from bushfires, hundreds of koalas sought refuge on commercial property.
“The logging of these forests then destroys precious habitat,” shared Animals Australia.
Wildlife Victoria CEO Dr Megan Davidson said it was impossible to understand how the logging could happen if koalas were in them.
“In these tragic cases, we are so sad not only for the animals, but also for the wildlife carers and vets who are on the ground dealing with the horrors of dead, broken, sick and orphaned animals,” Davidson said.
“Here’s a thought,” shared Animals Australia. “How about instead of planting plantations then mowing them down, we should be planting blue gum and leaving them for koalas to live in.”
The gruesome images have resulted in calls for change at a national level, with a Change.org petition already up and running.
“This barbaric practice needs to stop across the state and immediately,” the petition – directed to Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews – reads.
As reported by the Australian Koala Foundation (AKF) there are less than 100,000 koalas left in the wild and the population could be in fact as low as 43,000.
If Australia’s koala population falls below 50,000 it would be “functionally extinct”, the AKF said.