Why koalas are being shot dead from helicopters in Australia

• Australian authorities are culling koalas in the Budj Bim world heritage area after a wildfire destroyed 2,000 hectares of their habitat.
• Snipers in helicopters are being used to kill the koalas, a method drawing criticism from animal activists.
• More than 700 koalas are estimated to have been killed so far, with concerns about orphaned joeys left in the trees.
• Officials claim the cull is necessary to prevent the koalas from starving due to habitat loss, stating they were severely injured and distressed.
• But critics argue that the aerial culling is indiscriminate and question the assessment methods, advocating for better habitat management to prevent such drastic measures.

IN FULL

Hundreds of Koala bears are being shot dead out of trees from helicopters in Australian wildlife cull