The Kangaroo Island Wildlife Network has called for a pause in clearing of blue gum plantations to protect local koalas.

Its call follows recent media footage of koalas falling from trees as they are felled.

The wildlife group has started a petition on Change.org to enable public lobbying of the state government and Kiland, owner of the blue gum plantations.

It says its volunteers and other local wildlife groups have rescued dozens of maimed koalas, injured during the logging operations.

“We have been reporting these deaths and injuries to the relevant government bodies but have not received a satisfactory response. 

“The bushland that surrounds these plantations is still recovering from the fires and is not able to support the influx of koalas that will come from the felled plantations. 

“We have known this would happen for four years and there is still no Koala Management Plan for Kangaroo Island from the state government.”

The group is calling on the state government to temporarily pause the logging while a humane strategic plan to protect the koalas and other species living in the trees.

It says the plantation's current koala management plan is ambitious but mostly unachievable.

“Currently, the toll of the harvesting on the welfare of the koala population is unacceptably high.”

“Our goal is to work with the plantations and regulatory bodies to develop a plan that facilitates the clearing of the blue gum trees without causing extreme injury and death to the wildlife.”

Kiland took over the blue gum plantations after Kangaroo Island Plantation and Timber failed in its bid to build an export facility at Smith Bay in 2021.

It says it owns 18,600 Ha of prime agricultural land on Kangaroo Island including about 14,500 ha of timber planted to hardwood and softwood, which is under reversion to agriculture.

Rebekha Sharkie, Federal MP for Mayo, which covers Kangaroo Island, has supported the call for a pause.

“Recent media reports and disturbing video footage of koala deaths and injuries as a result of blue gum plantation clearing on Kangaroo Island is sickening. 

“Many in our community have voiced their concern and want an immediate stop to the clearing.”

She says she has written to the Premier and Deputy Premier asking them to direct Kiland to immediately pause tree felling until a safer and more humane approach is implemented.

The state government has said it will send Department for Environment and Water inspectors to investigate the issue.