There has been a lot of publicity recently about the proposed cull of 500 kangaroos in Belconnen in the Australian Capital Territory. Compared with the total number of kangaroos killed each year in Australia, this is a small percentage of the total. There is a significant commercial kangaroo industry in Australia that “harvests” wild kangaroos - mainly for meat and skins. The total kangaroo quota for 2007 was about 3.6 million. There are over 50 species of kangaroos and wallabies in Australia, with the following species killed commercially:

• Red Kangaroo (Macropus rufus), areas harvested Qld, NSW, SA,WA
• Eastern Grey Kangaroo (M. giganteus), areas harvested Qld, NSW
• Western Grey Kangaroo (M. fuliginosus), areas harvested NSW, SA, WA
• Common Wallaroo (M. robustus), areas harvested Qld, NSW, SA
• Bennett’s Wallaby (M. rufogriseus rufogriseus) known as the Red-necked Wallaby on mainland Australia, areas harvested Flinders and King Islands, Tasmania.
• Tasmanian Pademelon (Thylogale billardierii), areas harvested Flinders Island, Tasmania.

Commercially harvested kangaroos are used to produce high quality leather, fur and meat products. Most Australian states now sell kangaroo meat for human consumption. (In the past it was mainly used for pet food).

Kangaroo Harvesting is a controversial issue with strong views for and against. The following links give some different perspectives from government, conservation / environmental groups and the kangaroo industry.

Government:

• Kangaroo harvesting - EPA/QPWS
• Commercial Kangaroo and Wallaby Harvest Quotas

Conservation Organisations:

• Wildlife Preservation Society of Australia FAQ (see third question)
• Australian Conservation Foundation Policy
• Australian Wildlife Protection Council - Kangaroos

Kangaroo Industry:

• Kangaroo Industry Association
• Macro Meats