Why were hundreds of koalas shot in an aerial cull in Victoria?

Hundreds of koalas were injured or left starving after Budj Bim national park was devastated by bushfire, the Victorian government says. Photograph: Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action

The Victorian government has used aircraft to shoot about 700 koalas in south-west Victoria.

The government says the unprecedented step was taken to prevent further suffering of the animals, after a fire in Budj Bim national park burned through 2,200 hectares, including a large area of manna gum, a key food source for koalas in the park.