Environmental groups have claimed that Koala, one of the biggest victims of Australian fires, has suffered a massacre this time through massive logging.

An international environmental group, Friends of the Earth, accused many koalas of being killed or injured in the process of felling eucalyptus forests near Cape Bridgewater in southwestern Victoria, British Guardian reported today.

The group said it received reports of hundreds of injured or hungry koalas in the area at the end of December when the eucalyptus harvest was completed.

A few days ago, they added that some witnesses saw dead koalas fall into a pile of lumber struck by bulldozers.

Victoria Environment Secretary Lily Dambrosio also expressed concern.

Environmental officials say an investigation is under way by environmental groups claiming koalas are hungry or injured in the logging process.

Authorities said, "If the (Koala massacre) turns out to be a deliberate act of humanity, we expect the commissioners to quickly take responsibility for those involved."

Authorities who visited the site last week confirmed that many koalas had disappeared, and the remaining koalas were inspected and cared for by local rehabilitation volunteers.

Attorney General Edward O'Donyuhe said, “We were especially shocked by the news that Koalas, who had been affected by wildfires, have died numerous times.”

In Australia, killing or harassing a wild animal can be fined up to $ 8,000, plus an additional fine of $ 800 or more per animal.

Guardians say koalas that have lost their habitat throughout Australia due to the worst forest fires are at risk of being endangered.

(Photo: Provided by Koala Protection Group 'Koala Care Fraser Coast', Yonhap News)