Koalas have died in authorised burnoffs in the Otways.
THE death of koalas in a State Government burnoff near Wye River have angered wildlife activists.
Department of Sustainability and Environment wildlife officers “humanely euthanased” three koalas and rescued two others injured in the fire.
But Carlisle River Wildlife Shelter’s Ron Anstis said he believed government burnoffs killed “many” koalas.
Mr Anstis said he was concerned his shelter had not received “one call” in the past eight years to rescue animals injured in burnoffs.
But DSE Otway district manager Andrew Morrow said the DSE contacted shelters “when required, for injured animals”.
“The DSE deploys a wildlife officer to monitor planned burn sites and address animal welfare needs,” Mr Morrow said.
“If euthanasia is necessary as a last resort, this is usually carried out by a vet or a DSE wildlife officer who is trained and experienced in this work.
“Five koalas were collected following the Wye River burn; three were humanely euthanased and two were taken to wildlife shelters where they are recovering.”
Mr Morrow said the DSE set up a long-term biodiversity project HawkEye to check the impact of burnoffs and bushfires on the environment.
But Mr Anstis said burnoffs could have a “devastating” impact on animals and the environment.
Mr Anstis said there were varying opinions on fires and he did not believe the government gave animals “enough consideration”.
“It would be bad enough if a fire happened accidentally but it’s devastating when it’s intentional and you know if they don’t get burnt they’ll lose their home,” he said.
“There are so many species where they are doing these burns; there are koalas, possums, kangaroos, wallabies, birds, there may even be quolls.
“Potentially there’s endangered spiders, tiny plants, mosses, lichens.
“The rufous bristlebird is endangered and it can hardly fly; it spends most of its time hopping along the ground,” Mr Anstis said.
“I don’t think we fully understand the effects on wildlife biodiversity as a whole from these burns and I’m not convinced of its value.”
But Mr Morrow defended the burnoffs which he said aimed to reduce the risk of “massive and high-intensity bushfires like what occurred on Black Saturday”.
“DSE considers biodiversity values in conducting planned burning, and may aim to leave patches of unburnt bush, particularly the wetter gully vegetation that provides high-quality habitat,” he said.
“Many of our plants and animals depend on fire for their ongoing survival.
“By returning fire to the landscape, our planned burning program can help the environment regenerate and maintain health,” Mr Morrow said.
“HawkEye will monitor landscapes treated by planned burning and subject to bushfire, including the Otways, Mallee and the foothill forests of Gippsland.”
Koalas and other wildlife inhabited the South West region of Australia long before Whiteman arrived, cleared the land destroyed habitat,vegetation and created huge Salinity problems.
Indigenious Elders burnt the land as required, The land and Wildlife survived.
The Remarks by Ron Anstis shows the man has a deep understanding of the need to eliminate sufferring of any living creature and the need to protect our Eco system.
The remarks of “Get over it” shows the use of Freedom of Speech but possibly not the same conviction by remaining nameless
Scientific reasearch has proven
Eucalpyptus trees dying in many areas particularly Sth West Victoria and are currently sufferring from both Rust and Cinnamon Fungus also effected by insect attacks and eating, reduction of ground water not wholly attributed to Koalas
DSE state an Officer was assigned to check the burnt area for injured Wildlife, was the Officer there at the time of the burn or did the Officer arrive much later?
Either way it is inconceivable that one man should be expected to cover such a large burnt area in the time necessary to relieve pain and sufferring.
It is to be hoped that lessons are learnt from this Burn and trained rescuers are called upon to assist fast recovery and elimination of pain and sufferring in the future.
Black Saturday could not have been prevented Natural disasters are a part of history.
Whether you like Wildlife or not it is important to be aware
Australia has the unenviable record. Highest number for any country of destruction of Wildlife Species
LET NOT OUR HERITAGE BECOME JUST HISTORY
Tehree Gordon
THIS IS TYPICAL OF HOW A LOT OF COUNTRY PEOPLE THINK, WHY SHOULD KOALAS BE BURNED AND SUFFER PUT THESE IDIOTS OUT IN THE BUSH AND LET THEM BURN.
Annoyed
Graeme Anderson
Gold Coast.
Good to hear a few have been killed, these animals have been eating the forest to death down there for years. All you have to do is drive down there and see dead trees everywhere.
Has Ron Anstis forgotten that Koalas were introduced into this area purely as a tourist attraction a few years ago. They are starving to death because thay are not endmic to the area!