New management plans approved for Kangaroo Island timber plantations following revelation of injured and dead koalas

Following the release of footage showing koalas being killed and injured within timber plantations, the South Australian Government has introduced regulations which prevent timber companies on the island being allowed to fell blue gum plantations without an approved koala management plan.

SA Government and RSPCA inspectors investigated the logging of blue gum plantations on Kangaroo Island after the release of what the South Australian Deputy Premier and Environment Minister, Susan Close described as “horrific” images of koalas allegedly being killed and injured.

Guardian Australia published photos of seriously injured and dead koalas, and the Seven Network aired footage of koalas clinging to and being thrown from falling blue gums.

According to Guardian Australia, ex-employees of the company managing the plantation estate, Australian Agribusiness Group, said they tried to save at least 40 injured koalas and saw about 20 that had been killed as the plantations were cleared for agricultural use.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, ex-employees alleged that some of the company’s workers appeared to disregard instructions to leave standing trees that had been marked by trained spotters as containing koalas. The ex-employees and the president of the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Network, Katie Welz, described injuries including broken skulls, jaws, arms and hips.

Minister Close noted “we have all been shocked by the horrific images of koalas in blue gum plantations on Kangaroo Island being injured as a result of timber harvesting operations.

“The footage of koalas being killed and injured in timber plantations on Kangaroo Island shocked our community and required an immediate response from government.

“This is why plantation owners now require an improved koala management plan before they can continue to remove the invasive Tasmanian blue gums from the island.

“While this improved management plan will allow the company to resume felling, the investigation into any breaches of animal welfare laws is ongoing, as is work on a broader management plan for koalas on the island.”

The SA Government has approved a new koala management plan submitted by timber company, AAG Investment Management (AAGIM) that sees the resumption of harvesting of Tasmanian blue gums on Kangaroo Island.

Improvements to koala welfare management outlined in the plan include:

• additional koala spotting requirements and strategies to manage fatigue and communications with harvesters

• a requirement to report incidents within 24 hours, and monthly interactions and operational activity reports be provided to authorities

• notification of planned harvest activity two weeks prior to harvesting

• formalising the relationship between vets, wildlife carers and company

• differentiating koala spotting strategies between structurally stable plantations and those unsafe due to fire impact

The SA Department of Environment and Water will monitor the effectiveness of the plan over the next six months to determine whether further improvements are required.

This will include unannounced site visits by DEW staff to ensure the new procedures are being adhered to.

The investigation into koala cruelty within the timber plantations is ongoing with investigators based on the island and in Adelaide.

Enormous Damage to Australia's reputation and tourism prospects
With news of this incident having received international coverage, tourism indutrsy insiders feel it has done immeasurable damage to the nation's reputation and tourism prospects.

With the koala being an iconic and internationally recognised symbol of Australia's nationhood, the damage of the vivid and disturbing imagery associated with this is likely to impact the decision making of those who might otherwise be planning to visit Australia.

An incident such as this negates all positive marketing efforts.