Australian officials culled 686 koalas because overpopulation has led to the animals starving. Environment Minister of the state of Victoria Lisa Neville announced that 686 koalas that were in poor health due to starvation were euthanized by veterinarians between October 2013 and March 2014 in the Cape Otway region. In a statement to the state network ABC, Neville said that population density reached up to 20 koalas per hectare at Cape Otway, but this number was reduced to 11 koalas per hectare after the euthanasia. Explaining that koalas were suffering as they could not find anything to eat due to overpopulation, she said population density should not exceed 1 koala per hectare in order to create a sustainable living environment for the animals. She explained that the koalas were euthanized by veterinarians after they consulted animal protection associations. Neville said transferring the animals did not work out well and caused koalas to suffer even more. "The number of koalas is increasing very rapidly. We need to develop a strategy to slow down the koalas' population growth," Neville said, adding they are considering the option of putting more koalas down in the future. Although the Cape Otway region is home to a great number of koalas, koalas face trouble finding food due to the loss of their natural habitats and other troubles such as illnesses, fires and dog attacks. According to conservation groups, Australia's total koala population has declined from "millions" early last century to about 50,000 to 100,000. The decline was blamed on widespread hunting for the marsupial's pelt, as well as introduction of diseases and the impact of development on natural habitats.
