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Animal rights groups are criticizing the Australian government after around 700 koalas were killed by helicopter snipers. The government said it approved the killing in Victoria\u2019s Budj Bim National Park for humane reasons. This is the first time koalas were killed this way.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Activists argued healthy koalas and mothers with joeys were likely shot during the mission.<\/p>\n The operation started in early April after bushfires destroyed more than 2,000 hectares of koala habitat. Authorities said the goal was to euthanize koalas that were starving, injured, or severely dehydrated.<\/p>\n But wildlife groups say shooting koalas from helicopters is inhumane and risky. \u201cHealth assessments have to be made from the air, but how accurate are these assessments?\u201d Friends of the Earth Melbourne said in a statement<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cAllowing shooters to kill koalas indiscriminately from helicopters without proper health assessments? Not checking if these koalas<\/a> are healthy, or if they are mothers carrying dependent joeys?\u201d said the Koala Alliance<\/a> on Facebook.<\/p>\n \u201cHealth assessments cannot be done from 30 meters above the ground. This is not science, this is cruelty,\u201d it added.<\/p>\n The group also warned that joeys may now be suffering or dying alone because the fire-damaged area is closed off and no rescue teams are allowed in.<\/p>\n