Kangaroos as an example of extirmination with political blessings

[Kerry Baker]

I have noted in other posts about the issue of kangaroos in Australia.  The kangaroo meat industry is one that the Australian Government actively supports, and has been attempting to get Russia to agree to import large quantities of kangaroo meat.  The usual mantra is that kangaroos are in 'plague' proportions and need to be culled.  In the Australian Capital Territory where Canberra is located, slaughter of kangaroos is particularly savage.  I noted that Prof. Oscar Horta used the incident of the Majura cull as an example in support of his ideas about animal management.  The following link however raises some concerns;

http://www.kangaroosatrisk.net/

Any time an animals species is claimed to be in plague proportions, I have to wonder what the gain is for politicians.  In fact, in the example of the kangaroo culls around Canberra, the slaughter has to be viewed in light of the real estate revenue that is raised from the building industry.  Canberra has traditionally been known as 'the bush capital'.  It covers an area of 2358 km/2 or 910 square miles.  Kangaroos are regularly seen in the city outskirts, but there is no planning to avoid killing these animals.

We are I think seeing the last of these beautiful animals.  Koalas are pretty much doomed and a couple of wombat species are endangered.  Not much of a record to be proud of.

[Carolyn Bailey]

We used to have a family of kangaroos that would visit our house early in the morning, and we'd see quite a lot more when we walked through the bush where we lived. Even that has all been built out now and I can't imagine where these families have moved to, if anywhere. 

Some species of kangaroos in Australia are in real danger, but, it's inconvenient to have free living kangaroos on the land that is used for financial gain by the Australian Government or others, so few people are aware of that. 

The consumption of kangaroo flesh is one of the examples I use, along with bottled water, to explain that products are not only supplied to the general public because they demand them. There was no demand for kangaroo flesh before the Australian Government wanted there to be. I find it amazing that a large part of the population is still so easily manipulated. 

I share with you a concern for the future of kangaroos, Kerry, along with the other species you mentioned, dingos and countless marine animals. I believe Australia has an exceptionally high rate of species becoming extinct. Like you said, not much of a record to be proud of! 

[Kerry Baker]

I was shocked a few months back to see in a health shop a product for male virility derived from Red Kangaroos.  I told them that they should reconsider given that these are endangered but they still sell it.  I have ceased buying from there.

[Carolyn Bailey]

I find it incredible that any thinking person could believe that consuming part of another animal would make them more "virile". It's quite sad and pitiful, really. 

[Kerry Baker]

Hi Carolyn.  Have you seen the Voiceless Law Lecture series for this year?  They will be discussing kangaroos.  Although they focus on factory farmed animals they have taken up the kangaroo cause due to them being hunted for meat.  I have been to the last three or so, in fact the first one I went to with Bruce Wagman was what turned me vegan. He'd be good to interview as he works 100% for animal cases.

See: http://www.aldf.org/article.php?id=582

The Voiceless lectures are nation-wide and free.  I'm booked into one here in Melbourne for 14th June.

BTW, I do some wildlife rescue and found out from talking to a vet at the veterinary hospital the other day that possums are now considered vermin.  The vets can send to a carer but can't by law release a possum back to the wild.  Seems like there is an intention to get rid of all our wildlife.  Morons.