A wave of concern is washing over animal welfare advocates as the Victorian government confirms an unprecedented move: euthanizing koalas from helicopters within Budj Bim National Park. This drastic measure, revealed by Yahoo News this week, has seen an estimated 600 to 700 koalas shot since March 14th, following a devastating bushfire that ravaged 2,200 hectares, leaving many animals injured and without food. The ongoing operation has sparked serious questions about the scale, the methods employed, and the potential suffering of orphaned joeys.
“Heavy-Handed”: Experts Question Aerial Shooting and Joey Welfare
Evan Quartermain, head of programs at Humane World for Animals Australia and a first responder to the Black Summer bushfires on Kangaroo Island, has voiced strong criticism of the government’s approach, labeling it “heavy-handed.” While acknowledging the difficult decisions that arise after such disasters, Quartermain expressed deep concern over the “large-scale and broad justification” for the intervention. A key worry centers on the fate of joeys whose mothers are shot from above, leaving them to fall to the ground. “We can’t let aerial shooting become the go-to method for wildlife disaster response,” he cautioned.
Locals Disturbed as Choppers Circle, More Koalas Targeted
The sight and sound of government-contracted helicopters over Budj Bim National Park have reportedly upset local residents who typically cherish the presence of the area’s koalas. Adding to their distress is the knowledge that the aerial cull is set to continue in the coming days. While aerial shooting is a known method for managing feral animals like brumbies and deer, its application to euthanize koalas marks a disturbing first in Australia.
Government Defends Actions, Advocates Demand Transparency
Victoria’s Department of Environment (DEECA) maintains that the difficult decision to undertake such a large-scale program was not taken lightly. They assert that the aerial shooting is conducted under strict guidelines, with a veterinarian involved in the decision-making process and a trial indicating accuracy and humane outcomes. However, this hasn’t quelled the concerns of many wildlife advocates who question the lack of public notification prior to the operation and are calling for greater oversight if the program is to continue.
Plea to Halt Logging: Protecting Remaining Food Sources
As the aerial culling continues, a chorus of concerned experts is urging the Victorian government to immediately halt the harvesting of healthy eucalyptus trees in private plantations bordering the national park. Their rationale is simple: these trees represent a vital food source for the koalas that survived the fire. By continuing to log these areas, advocates argue, the government is further jeopardizing the remaining koala population and potentially driving more animals into the fire-affected zone.
Hush-Hush Cull: Not The First Time
An online report in Time in 2015 revealed a controversial effort by authorities to manage koala populations. A state minister confirmed that a total of 686 of the iconic marsupials in the Cape Otway region of Victoria were quietly sedated and euthanized by wildlife officials between 2013 and 2014, as reported by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).
“The Whole System is Broken”: Calls for Independent Review and Accountability
Glenys Oogjes, CEO of Animals Australia, has described the situation at Budj Bim as “tragic,” directly linking its severity to the ongoing destruction of koala habitat in the surrounding timber plantations. She argues that the current system is fundamentally flawed and is calling for an independent review of koala management plans in these private areas, as well as a pause on harvesting activities. The underlying issue, according to a wildlife expert familiar with koala control programs in the region, is that the logging of blue gum plantations forces koalas into the national park, creating an unsustainable population density. The calls for greater transparency and accountability are growing louder as the fate of Budj Bim’s koalas hangs in the balance.
Andrew Alpin from India is the Brand Manager of Doggo digest. Andrew is an experienced content specialist and social media manager with a passion for writing. His forte includes health and wellness, Travel, Animals, and Nature. A nature nomad, Andrew is obsessed with mountains and loves high-altitude trekking. He has been on several Himalayan treks in India including the Everest Base Camp in Nepal.
