Hundreds of koalas killed in Australia as logging company bulldozes habitat

Hundreds of koalas were found dead in Australia after a logging company bulldozed dozens of acres of their habitat, according to reports.

Animal rights group Animals Australia said its members rushed to save the koalas after a “heartbreaking” image surfaced of the dead marsupials at a plantation in Victoria, News.com.au reported.

“Koalas are having their homes mowed down,” the group said.

Some of the koalas were killed by bulldozers, while others starved to death in the few remaining trees on the property, the BBC reported.

Helen Oakley, a local resident, first raised the alarm on Facebook after coming across dozens of dead koalas, according to News.com.au.

“Mothers killed and their little babies,” she said. “Australia should be ashamed of this. We need help.”

Animals Australia said that a veterinary team was flown to the scene to help the injured koalas and the group is still investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the vulnerable species.

“We are still gathering the details as to what has occurred in this case but it would appear that there are various breaches of legislation, including the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, which we will be supporting authorities to pursue,” the group said.