Australia’s koala cull sparks controversy

In April 2025, the government of Victoria, Australia, shot 750 koalas that had survived the hill fires, including 200 pups in nursery pouches, by helicopter. The state Department of Environment claimed that the koalas were so badly burned and dehydrated that euthanasia was “the only option,” but animal protection groups exposed gaps in the data and that more effective non-culling methods existed in New South Wales but were not adopted by Victoria. Plans to develop land around the culling area into a blue gum plantation and donations from forestry giants have also led the public to question the capital manipulation behind the decision.