The government of Victoria in Australia is facing controversy after shooting over 700 wild koalas that were suffering due to the severe wildfires.
According to The Guardian and other sources on April 25, authorities in southern Victoria used helicopters to shoot and euthanize these koalas, which had lost their food sources due to fires in Budj Bim National Park.
Last month, approximately 2,200 hectares of land were destroyed in Budj Bim National Park due to the fires. This led to the widespread destruction of most eucalyptus groves, the primary food source for koalas.
State authorities took this drastic measure to reduce their suffering as the koalas lost their food supply due to the fires.
The state government explained that they decided to euthanize the koalas from helicopters due to the national park’s extremely rugged terrain and the koalas situated in high and isolated areas. They also cited safety concerns regarding the trees affected by the fire.
James Todd, Victoria’s Chief Biodiversity Officer, said the decision to use the method was made with careful consideration, explaining that the choice was between allowing the animals to continue deteriorating or taking proactive steps to reduce their suffering through aerial assessments.
Todd further noted that all euthanized koalas were in very poor health and their condition would have continued to deteriorate had they survived. He explained that each koala was individually assessed and euthanized using binoculars and optical equipment from within 30 meters.
Lisa Palma, chief executive of Wildlife Victoria, noted that bushfires typically result in significant wildlife deaths and suffering, and emphasized that in many cases, the most compassionate response for animals with severe burns and injuries is euthanasia.
However, the state’s actions have drawn criticism.
Rolf Schlagloth, a koala ecologist with 20 years of experience, questioned the efficiency and accuracy of aerial culling. He pointed out that the real issue is the lack of connectivity and the failure to properly manage koala habitat and native vegetation.
Jess Robertson, president of the nonprofit Koala Alliance, insisted that koalas should undergo blood tests and weight assessments before euthanasia. She argued that it’s difficult to accurately judge a koala’s health from a helicopter and that it is impossible to be certain whether the animal dies instantly.
