Footage of koalas scrambling for their lives is distressing – and exposes double standard | Kathryn Bermingham

Footage of koalas scrambling for their lives on Kangaroo Island is shocking and distressing – and it has exposed a stark double standard, writes Kathryn Bermingham.

Footage of koalas scrambling for their lives as trees are cut down on Kangaroo Island is shocking and distressing – and it has exposed a stark double standard in animal cruelty.

Wildlife campaigners this week revealed that hundreds of koalas are being killed or left for dead while Tasmanian blue gum plantations are cleared on the island.

The vision and reports have sparked understandable outrage within the community and among political leaders.

After the footage was aired on 7News, Environment Minister Susan Close told parliament it was “extremely serious” and “could be regarded as cruelty to those animals”.

A koala stands on a cut down blue gum tree inside the plantation estate of Australian Agribusiness Group on Kangaroo Island. The land is being cleared for agricultural use. Picture: Supplied

Department of Environment and Water inspectors have returned to the island to undertake compliance activity, and will also assess whether to get the RSPCA involved.

Others have called for an immediate suspension of the logging operation and investigations into how such a situation has been allowed to occur.

There is a startling contrast between the concern for these koalas, an introduced species on Kangaroo Island, and the indifference towards the welfare of native water birds in South Australia.

Ducks may not be as marketable or popular with tourists as koalas, but they deserve the same protection from cruelty.

In South Australia, duck hunting is legal and pursued as a form of recreation. Animals are shot at and made to suffer.

The lucky ones will die immediately, while others that are injured by bullets endure a slow and painful death – likely from starvation, dehydradration, infection or predators.

Other states have recognised how inhumane the practice is and implemented bans. Western Australia’s ban dates as far back as 1990.

Yet South Australia has still not followed suit. This year’s duck season will open in 10 days time and run until the end of June.

Greens MLC Tammy Franks, one of those calling for a ban, said earlier this year that the government was now “severely out of step with most of the community on this issue”. 

“Duck hunting is nothing but recreational cruelty. Why the Malinauskas Government would perpetuate a so-called sport that causes suffering for animals is beyond me,” she said.

“Duck hunting is a relic of our past and it should stay there.”

It is, as she put it, a “murderous pastime” – but has not attracted the same level of outrage as the current plight of the Kangaroo Island koalas.

The government on Wednesday announced the use of bows and crossbows to hunt and kill animals will be outlawed later this year.

Dr Close said the ban was an election commitment that “reflects community sentiment about the welfare of animals”.

The logical next step is a ban on duck hunting.

Let 2024 be the last season that ducks are subject to such barbarity.