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Despite the extreme habitat destruction and loss of life from the NSW bushfires, kangaroos continue to face the largest commercial slaughter of land-based wildlife on the Planet.
The NSW government promotes, financially supports and even actively participates in the brutal killing of hundreds of thousands of kangaroos across our state every year. This is an international disgrace and is a shameful way to treat an Aboriginal totem and our national emblem.
With evidence now suggesting that the long-term survival of our Kangaroos is at risk, we’re pushing harder than ever to end the commercial slaughter of kangaroos and wallabies and close the processing industries.
Together with our MP Emma Hurst, we plan to improve wildlife legislation to ensure kangaroos, wallaroos and wallabies are valued and respected, and increase and enforce penalties for wildlife cruelty.
Kangaroo slaughter is cruel
- The commercial kangaroo shoot takes place in remote locations, allowing for no effective monitoring of animal welfare.
- The kangaroo industry’s Code of Practice requires kangaroos to be slaughtered via a single shot to the head, yet even conservative estimates suggest that more than tens of thousands of the adult kangaroos commercially 'processed' each year are not killed in this manner. Instead it is likely that many kangaroos are simply wounded and endure a long and painful death.
- It is estimated that 855,000 dependent young kangaroos are either clubbed to death or left to starve after their mothers are killed for the kangaroo commercial industry.
- Decapitation or bludgeoning to death of joeys (this is standard practice and enshrined in the current code of practice) is common during a kangaroo cull.
The mouth of a kangaroo can be blown off and the kangaroo can escape to die of shock and starvation. Forearms can be blown off, as can ears, eyes and noses. Stomachs can be hit expelling the contents with the kangaroo still alive. - David Nicholls, former kangaroo shooter
Kangaroo slaughter is traumatic
- Kangaroos are terrorised by hunters on a nightly basis. They are known to be fragile animals, suffer from anxiety and live in an emotionally and socially rich mob structure.
- There is ample evidence to show that kangaroos form strong bonds amongst one another and grieve when one of the mob is lost.
- This relentless slaughter of kangaroos is causing immense suffering amongst the survivors of the nightly slaughter.
The Myths
The myths relating to kangaroos are widely cited by people who choose to eat kangaroo meat believing it is ethical and sustainable. The reality is quite the opposite:
- Kangaroo populations are likely far lower than we have on record.
- Kangaroos do not have a large environmental impact.
- The impact of kangaroos on farm animals is minimal.
- The kangaroo meat industry is cruel and untenable.
