Why Australia shot dead hundreds of Koalas from helicopters

Australia is facing intense backlash after nearly 700 koalas were shot dead from helicopters in a controversial wildlife cull in Victoria’s Budj Bim National Park. The operation, carried out by state authorities, began in early April following bushfires that destroyed over 2,000 hectares of habitat. Officials say the decision was made to prevent further suffering among starving, injured, and dehydrated koalas. However, animal rights groups argue the method is inhumane and poorly executed, leaving many orphaned joeys without care. The aerial shooting has sparked public outrage, with calls for an immediate halt and an independent review of the operation.
The Victorian government claims that the cull was necessary to prevent further suffering among injured, dehydrated, and starving koalas. The bushfires left many animals in critical condition, prompting what officials describe as a humane euthanasia effort based on expert veterinary assessments.

What sets this cull apart is its method. Trained marksmen shot the koalas from helicopters, something never before done with this species in Australia. While aerial culling is sometimes used for wild horses (brumbies) or deer, it’s highly controversial when applied to a vulnerable and iconic animal like the koala.

Animal advocacy groups, including Friends of the Earth Melbourne and Koala Alliance, have condemned the method, calling it cruel and unethical. They argue that evaluating a koala’s health from 30 metres above ground is unreliable and may lead to healthy animals and even mothers with joeys being killed unnecessarily. “It’s despicable. It’s cruel,” said Koala Alliance in a statement on Facebook.

Activists are demanding an immediate halt to the cull and are calling for an independent investigation into the government’s decision-making process. They are also pushing for wildlife vets and third-party observers to be granted access to assess the situation on the ground.
The cordoned-off area remains closed to outside help, increasing suspicions and public pressure on the Victorian government to allow transparency.

This crisis highlights the broader challenges koalas face across Australia. They are officially listed as endangered in Queensland, New South Wales, and the Australian Capital Territory due to habitat destruction, logging, and climate-fueled bushfires. Conservationists fear that this kind of aggressive response to wildlife management could set a dangerous precedent.
While authorities insist the cull was an act of mercy, the backlash reflects growing concern over how Australia treats its endangered wildlife. The situation has become a flashpoint in the debate between managing suffering and protecting vulnerable species. For now, the fate of many joeys and the ethical debate over this controversial method remain unresolved.