THEY’RE not renowned for being warm and fuzzy types.
But the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Australia has taken to Facebook to say it hopes the koala cuddled by President Putin at Brisbane’s G20 survived a recent cull that left up to 700 of the adorable creatures dead.
“Hope in the number of euthanised koalas did not get those animals that leaders at the G20 Summit in Brisbane were photographed with,” the Embassy posted on their Facebook page.
The message, in English and Russian, contained a link to the story and a picture of President Putin and President Obama holding the marsupials at the recent summit in November.
The G20 koalas, provided by Brisbane’s Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, were an international highlight of the global summit which was dominated by tensions with the Russian leader and the promise of a “shirtfronting” over actions in the Ukraine.
The koalas had been used to meet VIPs before from Taylor Swift to John Travolta and underwent ‘cuddle training’ to be in perfect shape for their big day.
However fears they might have been killed appear to be unfounded. The recently revealed cull took place in Victoria near the Great Ocean Road between 2013 and 2014 according to Victorian Environment Minister Lisa Neville - before the G20 took place.
The news caused outrage earlier this week when it was revealed wildlife officials captured and killed the starving animals via lethal injection, without public consultation.
However Ms Neville said she would not rule out further culls if recommended by experts.
“My main priority is making sure that we reduce the suffering of koalas due to starvation,” she said.
http://www.news.com.au/technology/scien ... 7250134336
Putin will free Asia Minor.
