Kangaroo Island’s koala management plan leaked after logging kills animals

Kangaroo Island loggers and wildlife campaigners sit down for a roundtable discussion for the first time since investigation. See details of their koala management plan.

Kangaroo Island’s loggers and animal welfare campaigners have held a roundtable to discuss a draft koala management plan leaked documents show.

The meeting comes after 7NEWS aired footage of loggers taking down blue gum trees as koalas clung to the branches earlier in March.

The Advertiser has received minutes from a meeting held on Monday, March 18 between the Australian Agribusiness Group (AAGIM), KiL and KI Wildlife Network, as well as other animal campaigners.

The stated aim of the meeting was to move forward together “for a better wildlife welfare outcome within KiLand plantation timber estate”.

Hundreds of koalas being killed on Kangaroo Island during logging. Picture: 7NEWS

Changes included – employing two additional spotters per machine, improving their training and on ground communication, allowing approved responders on the property to assess and rescue injured animals.

Additionally, they are planning on working with the Department of Environment and Water (DEW) to allow on site euthanasia of animals approved by a responder which would be done by either firearm or captive bolt gun.

President of KI Wildlife Network Katie Welz said this was the first time animal welfare campaigners were included in the investigation, as well as the planning for a koalas management plan.

Ms Welz said until that Monday she had “heard nothing but crickets” from the Environment Department despite their promises to be working collaboratively.

“Immediately after the media story came out, the DEW said all these things about working with us, or other animal welfare groups; and maybe the intention was there, but they just haven’t reached out to us,” Ms Welz said.

“We had hoped to get some sort of communication from the department … but we have not heard one word from the government.

“I just feel frustrated. When the government said we’d be included in the investigation and the koala management plan within the plantation I thought that meant collaboration and better transparency.”

Koalas injured and killed on Kangaroo Island during logging. Picture: Supplied

Koalas injured and killed on Kangaroo Island during logging. Picture: Supplied

Ms Welz said the lack of communication had made her nervous about the government’s true plans for the logging site.

“I feel like a priority for the government would be getting the big business people back to business – while the welfare issue is sorted as fast as possible and as painless as possible – without holding the loggers accountable for their actions.”

Meanwhile, environment minister Susan Close said the investigation into logging impacts on koalas is ongoing and has included the involvement of animal welfare campaigners.

“Two senior investigators from the Department for Environment and Water visited Kangaroo Island from March 6-8 as part of the investigation into koala welfare at plantation sites,” she said.

“As part of the ongoing investigation, DEW investigators have met with members of the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Network, Kangaroo Island Wildlife Sanctuary and the vet who treated injured koalas.”

The Australian Agribusiness Group said their investigations are being continued.

“We’re also continuing to conduct our own investigation with any relevant findings being provided to the Department of Environment and Water and RSPCA,” their spokesman said.

“In the meantime, we have proactively halted bluegum harvesting to further review and discuss how we can further improve our practices.

“Harvesting of the blue gum plantations will only resume after the updated Koala Management Plan has been agreed with the South Australian government and KiLand, and our harvesting team has been fully briefed.”

KiLand has been contacted for a comment.