Australian authorities killed almost 700 Koala bears in southeastern Australia due to overpopulation.

Victoria State Environment Lisa Neville claimed that the Koalas were killed through euthanasia at Cape Otway in year 2013-2014.

Accordingly, there is an overpopulation of Koalas that led many of which to starvation.

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"The intervention was necessary to prevent suffering of Koalas because they were not able to find enough food," Neville averred.

Veterinarians euthanized 686 Koalas that were in poor health condition. The euthanasia was done in consultation with experts from animal welfare groups.

Some witnesses also said that the areas in Cape Otway "smelled like death" before the Koalas were killed.

Mismanagement

The Australian Koala Foundation blamed mismanagement for the overpopulation of Koalas in Cape Otway that has caused the death of many Koalas.

"What they have done is shocking," said Australian Koala Foundation Chief Executive Deborah Tabart. "Why did they let it happen in the first place? I think the government should hang its head in shame."

According to Desley Whisson of the Deakin University, the Koalas' population in Cape Otway has been increasing ever since its relocation in Cape Otway from French Island, off Victoria, during the 1980s.

The number of Koalas in Cape Otway has been increasing due to absence of threats such as predators and bushfires.

Whisson, who was also involved in last year's operation killing of Koalas, said that the operation is the best way of saving the Koalas out from misery.

"It was putting Koalas out of their misery," she said.

She added that it was horrific knowing that many Koalas died due to starvation. With every twenty Koalas she radio tracked, fifteen of which died of starvation.

Whisson also said that Koalas are continuously increasing in Cape Otway, the exact opposite in Queensland and New South Wales wherein the number of Koalas is declining due to urban development and loss of habitats.

TagsKoalas, Australia, Koalas killed, euthanasiam