Forestry Corporation was notified by its timber harvesting contractor on Tuesday that an unwell and injured koala had been found within an active plantation harvesting area in Pine Creek State Forest.

Operations in the immediate area are paused, and trained ecologists attended the site to safely capture the animal and transport it to the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital for veterinary assessment and care.

Initial advice indicated the koala was suffering from chlamydia, causing significant damage to one eye. Forestry Corporation has since been informed that the koala later began exhibiting additional signs of injury. Following a veterinary assessment on Wednesday, we understand the decision was made to humanely euthanise the animal on welfare grounds.

This is an upsetting outcome. The protection of koalas and other native wildlife is a priority for Forestry Corporation, and plantation harvesting operations are undertaken in accordance with detailed environmental requirements and operational procedures, including pre-harvest inspections.

The incident has been reported to the plantation regulator, and Forestry Corporation will review the circumstances.