Hundreds of starving koalas euthanized

About 700 koalas have been killed by the authorities in Australia because overpopulation led to the animals starving, an official said on Wednesday, sparking claims of mismanagement.

Victoria state Environment Minister Lisa Neville said the koalas were euthanized around Cape Otway near the Great Ocean Road, a scenic tourist draw, in 2013 and 2014, with a caravan site owner saying the whole area "smelled like death" before they were put down.

"The intervention was necessary to prevent suffering of koalas because they weren't able to find enough food," Neville said.