The North East Forest Alliance (NEFA) has totally rejected industry claims that logging is good for koalas, while calling for an immediate logging and clearing moratorium on all highly suitable koala habitat as identified by the Government.
NEFA spokesperson Dailan Pugh says logging has removed many of the large trees preferred by koalas for feeding as well as vital fire refuges out of the reach of ground fires, in the process reducing koala populations and making forests drier and more flammable.
‘Logging has had a profound impact on koalas and their chances of surviving our apocalyptic future.
‘North-east NSW koala populations have declined over 50% in the past 20 years, and last year 30% of ‘highly suitable koala habitat’ was burnt, including many known core populations. Thousands of koalas were killed.
Mr Pugh says the Banyabba population is one of the worst affected with 84% of ‘highly suitable koala habitat’ burnt in the Busbys Flat and Myall Creek fires. This covers lowland forests from the Richmond Range through to Iluka on the coast, and from Lawrence on the Clarence River north to Mongogarie, south of Casino.
‘NEFA’s monitoring of koalas on State Forests south of Casino has found 90% of koalas have been lost from the fireground, so over three-quarters of the Banyabba koala population is likely to have been lost. This population was already in decline before the fires.
Mr Pugh says koalas face a precarious future, particularly if we continue to log their feed and fire refuge trees. ‘The koalas need the same trees the loggers want.
‘If we want to give koalas a chance to recover from the devastating impacts of the bushfires, the Government must act urgently to stop logging and clearing of all ‘highly suitable koala habitat’.
‘Given the immense loss of wildlife in the bushfires it is time to stop degrading their habitat and start restoring it. Business as usual is no longer an option if we want to save our wildlife,’ said Mr Pugh.
WTF !
Wholesale slaughter is GOOD for Koalas ?
NO, it isn’t even good for forestry, when are these clowns going to learn the meaning of “sustainable” ?
I wonder, while these idiots are out there over harvesting their over-alotted forest remnants , do they realize they are doing themselves out of a job, and their children out of the very environment they will need to survive the catestrophic conditions their cut and burn industry is largely responsible for creating for their future.
Lets face it the preservation of Koalas is way more important than the preservation of sawmills.
Poor bloody Dailan has been exposing these charlatans for decades, but now in the face of immenent extinction of the whole range of native animals and forests we must call an end to this corrupt industry.
Do you agree ? G”)
Madness abounds, – if we call ourselves Australian, how can we not act to save these unique and threatened animals that are the main victims of climate change and crazy wildfires. PLEASE Support ‘Wires’ wildlife rescue group, Bangalow Koalas, Bush Heritage…
Logging is good for koalas.
Coal is good for humanity.
Methane gas is good for the climate.
Murdoch is good for the truth.
The COALition and Labor parties are good for democracy and the rule of law.
As Scumo would shout – HOW GOOD IS OSTRAYA!!
Oh my, logging industry! How blind can you be?? Ask yourself: “How long will my family and I survive if our home and food are taken from us without means of replacement?” No means of transportation either, just bare feet. Shame on you and your greedy wants, not needs. In your eyes, aren’t the terrific fires, ravaging Australia, doing enough damage?
This mentality is despicable. Koalas homes have burnt too and logging more of them is just reducing their habitat. How dumb do you have to be to not understand that?
We need to protect what’s left.
At 1st glance it sounds like Smirko is their PR man – with such illogical and patently untrue utter bullsh*t.
Maybe the Echo could question Forestry NSW and have them explain how removing the food and shelter of a vulnerable species, after devastating bushfires that have already killed 90% of the population could possibly be good for them? Their explanation would have to expose their complete disregard for the management and conservation of native fauna and flora , their legal responsibilities to do protect threatened species, and be of interest to everyone who cares about the ongoing mismanagement and unsustainability of OUR State Forests.
Thanks once again to NEFA for continuing to fight and highlight such bizarre cruelty.
If I were to go around the neighbourhood removing food provided by owners for their dogs, and smashing their little doggie beds and dog houses, the condemnation and response from RSPCA, the general public and the courts would be swift and loud. Where is the outrage to protect our koalas? Why such community disregard about their fate? Koalas are the visible face of our disappearing fauna, there are dozens of rarer species harmed every time koala habitat is smashed by forestry.