An Update on Kangaroo Culling in Australia
Date Posted:9 July 2018
Tourists view kangaroos as an attraction worth the trip to Australia But for people in the Land Down Under, they are seen as pests that could bring ecological imbalance if left unchecked. That’s why many view kangaroo culling in Australia to be important. There are many opinions on how roo numbers should be kept under control, and culling has been a popular way to keep populations down.
It has been years since controlling these hoppers’ numbers became a hot topic for conservation. How’s it going so far? Here’s an update on kangaroo culling in Australia.
Canberra Finishes Largest Kangaroo Culling Effort
According to The Canberra Times, over 3200 roos were killed in ACT as part of the government’s conservation efforts. It was in line with the 2018 target, and is aimed at protecting several ecological systems threatened by the constantly rising numbers of the said animals. Furthermore, it is said to help reduce roadside accidents brought about by roos suddenly jumping on cars or passing by roads.
In a statement, Daniel Inglesias, director of parks and recreation, explained the need for the cull. “Ensuring the grasslands and woodlands are not overgrazed will help to protect our grasslands and woodlands, which provide habitat for creatures such as lizards and ground-feeding birds, and will avoid excessive soil loss whilst still maintaining sustainable numbers of kangaroos,” Inglesias said.
He added that so far, it has been a resounding success as the target number was completed ahead of time, and that there were no major incidents that occurred during this venture.
Why Are Some Against Kangaroo Culling?
While the government and those pro-culling have highlighted its benefits, there are animal rights organisations that have voiced their opposition to it. For starters, they believe that the way the cull is performed is inhumane and that the target number is overblown. Furthermore, they even claim that kangaroo meat is bacteria-filled and unhealthy to eat.
Apparently, other countries caught wind of this allegation, so much that shoemakers shunned the use of kangaroo leather. Russia, which used to be a huge consumer of kangaroo meat, even placed a ban on the said exported meat, explaining that this is for food safety.
This being said, while the kangaroo culling may be successful, it isn’t always met with positive reception from other Aussies with mixed feelings about our national animal. So is roo culling in Australia really a sustainable effort? Only time will tell.
