Orphaned animals were recovered following the logging. Photo / Animals Australia
Orphaned animals were recovered following the logging. Photo / Animals Australia
Warning: Graphic content
Hundreds of koalas have reportedly been killed in Victoria this week, with heartbreaking images surfacing online, after logging 12km west of Portland.
Animals Australia has shared heartbreaking images of injured and dead koalas – now a threatened species after one of Australia's most damaging bushfire seasons on record – from a razed bluegum plantation, reports news.com.au.
"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."
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
With the support of local authorities and wildlife carers, Vets are seeking to save as many of these precious animals as possible. We appreciate the of concern from so many caring people, but please know there is no need for further volunteers.
"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."
Geelong based company, Midway, has confirmed it was involved in logging the plantation late last year and complied with all government regulations to protect koalas.
It says the land has since been handed back to a local farmer who is responsible for clearing the property to sow pastures.
It's assumed that in the wake of recent habitat destruction due to bushfires, many 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.
Dead koalas were spotted after the logging took place. Photo / Animals Australia
It's unclear how many koalas were killed during the logging. Photo / Friends of the Earth
Devastated social media users were quick to share posts, tagging local and national MPs while trying to raise awareness.
"This is murder," wrote one user on social media, sharing pictures of koalas crushed under the weight of felled trees.
"I thought burned koalas was bad enough," wrote another.
One user added, "This is too much. Please ensure those responsible are held accountable for this unconscionable act. The cruelty of human beings apparently has no limits."
"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."
"There's koalas lying there dead. Mothers killed and only little babies … Australia should be ashamed of this."
The gruesome images have ignited 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.
According to 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.
