- Target:
- Government Bodies
- Region:
- Australia
The penalty for deliberately shooting a koala is a $225,000 fine or two years imprisonment.
Are you Kidding me? It's murder!
STAFF at the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital are working around-the-clock to save the life of a baby koala seriously injured in a shooting near Kenilworth on Friday.
Locals found the joey lying next to its mother, who had apparently died from gunshot wounds.
The youngster was rushed to the wildlife hospital at Beerwah, where veterinarian Dr Amber Gillett found she had suffered a fractured skull and significant damage to her stomach and intestines.
“X-rays have revealed approximately 15 pellets scattered throughout her body,” Dr Gillett said.
“Due to significant internal blood loss associated with her injuries she required an immediate blood transfusion and was prepared for surgery to repair the perforations to her stomach and intestines.
“We were able to repair all of her intestinal injuries and so far have removed three pellets, one of which was located in the skull.”
Staff at the hospital have named the young koala Frodo, after the character in the Lord of the Rings movies, and believe she is aged 14-16 months.
“Once Frodo’s condition stabilises, further surgery will be scheduled to attempt to remove remaining pellets and repair the associated damage,” Dr Gillett said.
“She is currently receiving intravenous antibiotics, fluids and strong pain relief.
“Her condition is extremely critical and will require intensive monitoring and care in the coming days.”
Dr Gillett said staff at the wildlife hospital were stunned to see this kind of animal cruelty.
“We cannot begin to fathom why somebody would want to shoot a koala that poses no threat to them.
“Koala populations are already in serious decline and incidents such as these add unnecessary pressure to a species already struggling to survive.”
Queensland Climate Change and Sustainability Minister, Kate Jones, yesterday described Frodo’s shooting as “sick and cruel”.
“I am absolutely disgusted by this cruelty and hope the young koala can recover,” she said.
The penalty for deliberately shooting a koala is a $225,000 or two years imprisonment.
Source: http://www.gympietimes.com.au/story/2010/11/08/frodo-in-fight-for-life-after-shooting/
I will be sending this to government bodies to TRY to make the punishment for killing or harming animals greater.
If these animals cannot talk for themselves it's up to us to talk for them.
I am going to yell and scream until someone listens BUT I need at least 2,000 ppl to walk with me.
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The It's still murder to kill a Koala petition to Government Bodies was written by Elaine and is in the category Animal Rights at GoPetition.