'You're a disgrace': Hamilton Island slammed after killing 1000 animals

Popular Queensland beach spot Hamilton Island has come under fire after it was revealed authorities culled 1000 animals including wallabies, possums and birds.

Holidaymakers have begun a boycott of the island over its treatment of animals, after it was revealed it had shot dead the animals because they are "damaging" the environment and can pose as a "health" risk.

"Any culling of animals and birds is done as a last resort when all other methods have been exhausted," a Hamilton Island spokesperson said. "It is conducted as humanely and professionally as possible and is monitored by a consultant wildlife veterinarian employed for the purpose."

But social media has erupted with the island labelled a disgrace.

"What an absolute disgrace you are. Butchering the wildlife for your own selfish reasons. I will never go to your (sic) island again," one person commented.

"You're pathetic. Hamilton Island should be closed for damaging the ecosystem. You are the problem, not the native animals," another said.

Island management said the not-native animals, like Agile Wallabies and Brush-Tail Possums, had multiplied "beyond a sustainable level" and said a lack of predators on the island was part of the problem.

The Island also said too many animals were learning "unnatural behaviour patterns" which in turn, was making birds "aggressive" and "unhealthy". It's believed at least one kookaburra was included in the cull.

Hamilton Island has shone on the international stage through celebrity guests including popstar Taylor Swift, talkshow queen Oprah Winfrey and homegrown hero Chris Hemsworth.

Every year, the island hosts a celebrity-filled race week and is a known wedding hotspot.

"If the hundreds of wallabies are getting culled because they are a hazard on the island's airport runway, then isn't there a security issue with your airport?" one person questioned on Facebook. "Should the Australian Federal Police be advised that your perimetre measures are poor - I mean, if a dumb wallaby (or hundreds) can get in and run amok, what else can?"

The Department of Environment and heritage Protection has backed the culling undertaken by Island management, saying it is "satisfied that the operators on Hamilton Island are managing wildlife in accordance with their damage mitigation permits".