Pyrtle, I'm not sure if they are the same logging mobs involved (I'm late for the land of zzzzz !
but the OP relates to an incident late last year. This is not the first rodeo. I personally found it too much (seeing pictures of many crushed, mangled koalas), some still wedged (or parts of them anyway) to post. I've had it with the robber barons. This is caused by nothing more than hubris, inhumanity, and greed.
If people are interested they can just search online for further articles - heads up though you won't like what you see. I think most people who frequent these forums and care about animals would have a similar reaction to me.
To answer your other question - yes Indigenous people do still hunt (for survival, not fun or 'sport') various native animals based on totemic and 'country' law. I'm not sure if Koalas are on the menu. I will seek the knowledge next time I sit with the proper elders. It is too simplistic to think from a modern perspective of them (or any living thing - plants included) as a food resource to be 'taken'. The relationship is far more symbiotic than that, and the appropriate 'permissions' from the ancestors, country, and plants and animals must be sought first by appropriately initiated people. Anyway I don't intend for this to be a lesson on Aboriginal culture - just answering your question.
Given that large parts of the country have been concreted over, and otherwise exploited, such things are not practical in many areas. As much as possible though, for health, and cultural practice, many Aboriginals do consume native tucker - the majority of which are plant based, or seafood in the appropriate areas.
Native tucker is the next big thing on the hipster foodie scene.
Chosun :gh:
