Submission to Federal Government to review the kangaroo industry

The worst drought in one hundred years combined with significant commercial killing has hit kangaroo populations very severely. This population decline has also been exacerbated by demands of the kangaroo industry which is taking as many kangaroos as it can legally and in some cases illegally. Demand is currently exceeding supply.

The Wilderness Society along with other concerned environmental and animal protection groups - have made a submission on the 'Cruelty, Risks and Illegality of the Kangaroo Industry' to the Hon. Peter Garrett, Federal Minister for the Environment.

• Download Submission (PDF document, 638Kb)

The submission asks the federal government to seek legal advice as to their obligations under the EPBC Act, and to review the legality of the currently approved wildlife trade management plans, for the following reasons:

• Increased number of females killed
• Young at foot and in pouch joeys
• Cruelty
• Effects of climate change
• Unsustainable growth of industry

The submission concludes;

The level of cruelty being meted out to kangaroos, particularly the young as more and more pregnant females are targeted, is completely unacceptable to the community. The mass killing of helpless joeys
disregards all standards of human decency.

It is not legal to approve Wildlife Trade Management Plans which do not take into account climate change or allow the illegal, unquantified and cruel killing of kangaroo young.

We, the undersigned organizations and individuals, ask that you immediately seek legal advice as to your obligations under the EPBC Act and to review the legality of the currently approved wildlife trade management plans in light of their clear deficiencies under the Act.