New Kangaroo Code Sanctions Animal Cruelty

Forcefully swinging an orphaned joey against a tow bar: the Australian government's idea of 'humane' euthanasia.

The Australian government has recently released a new draft of the 'National Code of Practice for the Humane Shooting of Kangaroos and Wallabies', which is now open to public consultation.

The draft Code, which purports 'best practices' for the lucrative kangaroo shooting industry, does little to protect the welfare of kangaroos and wallabies, but rather sanctions the abhorrently cruel massacre of our national icon despite strong opposition from animal protection groups including Animals Australia and the RSPCA.

Among the recommendations, the draft Code states that orphaned joeys should be decapitated with a sharp blade; shot at close range; struck with a metal pipe; or "forcefully swung" against a solid metal object such as the tow bar of a vehicle (Section 6.1(i)).

The remote locations that this slaughter takes place has made it virtually impossible to ensure effective monitoring of animal welfare. And while the draft Code states that all shooters ought to be "competent", there is no requirement for non-commercial shooters to pass a competency test (Section 4.1(1)). As a result of poor targeting, it is estimated that each year hundreds of thousands of kangaroos suffer prolonged and painful deaths when they are shot by hunters but not killed outright.

While the draft Code is officially open for public comment, the government makes it clear on its website that no submissions which are “technically unfeasible” or which could not be “reasonably” applied by kangaroo shooters will be accepted—effectively making void any public calls to ensure the humane treatment of kangaroos.

Take Action!Photos 

See also:Kangaroos: Life and Death in the Australian OutbackWallaby carnage on King IslandRoo cull put on holdDefence Department poised to kill kangaroos in CanberraGovt doctored roo cull report

The world's largest land-based commercial wildlife slaughter is in our own backyard. Find out more...

(What is this?) Share this page...

digg this technorati del.icio.us stumble upon hugg this