Victoria (Australia) - In order to protect them from the effects of a massive forest fire , the Australian government has had hundreds of koalas killed. Now it is facing fierce criticism.

Last week, a forest fire was ignited by lightning in Australia's Budj Bim National Park. In order to protect the koalas living there from death by fire, drought and starvation, the authorities decided to have numerous animals killed.

According to animal rights activists, around 700 koalas were shot from helicopters. However, the snipers not only hit sick animals, but also healthy mother animals that were carrying their young.

Numerous mothers are also said to have been snatched from their young, leaving them to survive on their own. No wonder the Australian government is now facing a lot of criticism from numerous animal welfare organizations.

Officials have stated that the mass killing was necessary. But activists are not satisfied with this statement.

Assessing the health of an animal from the height of a helicopter is not only difficult, but almost impossible. It is clear that countless healthy animals can be killed in the process.

"The use of aerial shooting should only be considered as a last resort. The killing of koalas from the air is an Australian first and sets an ethically questionable precedent," said the organization "Friends of the Earth Melbourne" in a statement.

Despite massive opposition, the government stands by its order and claims to have acted on the advice of veterinary experts.