Photos from Friends of the Earth Australia
With the heart-breaking images of wildlife perishing from the wildfires that continue to decimate parts of Australia, it is even more devastating to learn about the countless koalas found dead on a timber plantation in the state of Victoria.
In a statement from Friends of the Earth, “the plantation was logged in December in what is being called a “massacre” that left hundreds of koalas dead or injured.
According to The Conservation Regulator, with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP), an investigation has been launched after authorities responded to the horrific incident.
Since last Friday, more than 80 koalas have been processed through the triage center based on site at Cape Bridgewater. Wildlife welfare assessment and triage will continue this week with qualified carers and vets on site.
Sadly, approximately 31 koalas had to be euthanized due to the poor condition that they were left in after their habitat was bulldozed.
Apparently, the land in question was owned by Australian Bluegum Plantations, whose lease expired in 2016. The plantation was apparently taken over and logged by South West Fibre, a joint operation between Midway and the Japanese company Mitsui. Apparently, after logging, the land was handed back to a private landholder.
