750 Koalas Culled in Victoria by Helicopter

[Black Orchid]

Snipers in helicopters have shot more than 700 koalas in the Budj Bim National Park in western Victoria in recent weeks. It’s believed to be the first time koalas have been culled in this way.

The cull became public on Good Friday after local wildlife carers were reportedly tipped off.

A fire burned about 20% of the park in mid-March. The government said the cull was urgent because koalas had been left starving or burned.

Wildlife groups have expressed serious concern about how individual koalas had been chosen for culling, because the animals are assessed from a distance. It’s not clear how shooting from a helicopter complies with the state government’s own animal welfare and response plans for wildlife in disasters.

The Victorian government must explain why it is undertaking aerial culling and why it did so without announcing it publicly. The incident points to ongoing failures in managing these iconic marsupials, which are already threatened in other states.

https://theconversation.com/sniping-koa ... ull-254996

What the ... ???

Joeys have been left starving and terrified. What the hell is wrong with Victoria?

Nothing on the news. I got an email about it then had to search online.

If they are injured and starving why aren't they being captured and taken to a sanctuary hospital instead of shooting them from a helicopter? Koalas? This is just NOT acceptable!

[tllwd]

The terrain doesn't look too inaccessible so no excuse about choppers.

kls.gif

[mellie]

For once I'm speechless.

[Black Orchid]

I just watched a segment on tv about Koalas. Their population has declined by 80% in the last 20 years from destruction of habitat, urban expansion, Chlamydia etc.

If something isn't done they will be extinct by 2050.

And Victoria is shooting them from helicopters?

[Bobby]

I just watched a segment on tv about Koalas. Their population has declined by 80% in the last 20 years from destruction of habitat, urban expansion, Chlamydia etc.

If something isn't done they will be extinct by 2050.

And Victoria is shooting them from helicopters?

The poor creatures.

I wish they could do a better job of looking after them -

maybe relocate as many as possible to somewhere that has many eucalyptus trees.

[Black Orchid]

There are over 700 species of Eucalypt but Koalas only eat about 40 of them and their food source is continually being destroyed.

[mellie]

There are over 700 species of Eucalypt but Koalas only eat about 40 of them and their food source is continually being destroyed.

I just don't understand how they managed to get permission to begin with. Seems this current government of ours can't do anything right, and where were the Greens when this was happening?

[Bobby]

There are over 700 species of Eucalypt but Koalas only eat about 40 of them and their food source is continually being destroyed.

I thought they were incredibly valuable if sold for zoos overseas?
It seems to me that money could be made by capturing them and selling them?