Aerial shooting of koalas in Victoria’s Budj Bim National Park Humane World for Animals is deeply concerned about reports that several hundred koalas have been shot from helicopters in Budj Bim National Park, parts of which were heavily impacted by bushfires beginning seven weeks ago on March 10. Following the...
Parliamentary inquiry into the management of blue gum plantations and koalas.
Humane World for Animals is relieved to report that the koala shooting in Victoria’s Budj Bim National Park has stopped, with helicopters grounded last Friday, 25 April.
Following fires in the area known to be home to a large number of koalas, the Victorian Government had declared an emergency response “to manage the welfare of wildlife impacted by bushfire” with a justification of minimising the suffering of burned animals. They determined that an “aerial assessment and intervention program” was the safest and most humane approach to euthanise koalas in otherwise inaccessible areas of the park.
At a stakeholder meeting with the responsible government department yesterday we were informed that more than 1,000 koalas, nearly half of around 2,200 that were assessed, were shot during the operation. Further details around the number of bodies checked for pouch young and other welfare concerns continue to be sought by Humane World for Animals.
Evan Quartermain, Australian Head of Programs at Humane World for Animals, said:
“While we’re relieved that the koala shooting operation has ceased, the need to learn from this incident and ensure positive welfare outcomes for surviving koalas remains urgent.
“Humane World for Animals is communicating with and supporting concerned locals and koala advocates on the ground around Budj Bim as we continue to scrutinise information.
“Habitat destruction and eucalypt plantations in southern Australia have created serious koala welfare issues for decades. With the threat of fires growing there’s no time to waste. If the government allows the status quo of koala mismanagement in forestry to continue it will inevitably lead to koalas suffering in their thousands again and again.”
While we focus on getting additional questions answered regarding this incident, Humane World for Animals is calling for a Parliamentary Inquiry into the management of koalas in blue gum plantations in Victoria.
Please help us by taking action and adding your voice to this call by signing our petition
