Charges laid over koala deaths at Cape Bridgewater

The landowner faces 126 charges under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 and the Wildlife Act 1975, including 18 aggravated cruelty charges for causing fatal injuries. A forest and earthmoving business is facing the same 126 charges.

The man and business are accused of clearing habitat which wounded and caused unreasonable pain or suffering to dozens of koalas. They are also charged with destroying koalas which are a protected species.

A separate contracting business has also been charged with one cruelty offence under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 for disturbing the koala population.

The charges follow a complex investigation by the Conservation Regulator, after Forest and Wildlife Officers responded to reports of injured and starving koalas at the Cape Bridgewater property in February last year.

A crime scene was established, and a triage centre set up to assess the koalas. Sadly, 21 koalas were found dead on site and 49 koalas were required to be euthanised. It is alleged that following assessment of the deceased and euthanised animals, 70 koalas were identified as experiencing, or likely to experience, pain or suffering in the form of starvation and/or dehydration, and 25 of those koalas had also sustained fractures.

More than 120 koalas were released directly from the incident site back into the wild, with more than 70 animals taken into care, and of those around 60 were released from care into the wild.

The maximum penalty for one charge of aggravated animal cruelty leading to death is $218,088 for a business, and $90,870 or 2-years imprisonment for an individual.

The maximum penalty for one charge of animal cruelty is $109,044 for a business, and $45,435 or 12-months jail for an individual.

The maximum penalty for one charge of illegally hunting, taking or destroying protected wildlife is $9,087 and/or six months imprisonment. An additional fine of up to $908 per head of wildlife may also apply.

The matter is listed before the Portland Magistrates Court on 22 February 2022.

To report wildlife crime, contact Crime Stoppers Victoria on 1800 333 000.

We understand the community’s concerns about this case and we have ensured a thorough investigation which led to these charges.

Our investigation included gathering a large volume of evidence from the crime scene, as well as mobile devices and witness statements. Techniques such as forensic radiography and pathology were undertaken on all deceased animals discovered on the property to assist in determining when and how the animals died.