by Marilyn (Nov 27, 2004)

Insulated since the night of times, Australia has developed a unique fauna : the marsupials, mammals with an external pocket where their young ones develop, are the best known representatives.

An industry

An industry of 200 million dollars : leather, meat..., a control of the population of tens of millions of individuals.

Each year the Quotas, and in each Australian state, the National Parks Authorities, make a census of the population of kangaroos in the state, by flying over the bush at low altitude to count the kangaroos. Of these figures, 15 to 20 % of the population will be intended for industry each year.

The kangaroo, hunted for its meat

One kangaroo, one label. To guarantee a control of hunting, the government forces the hunters to get labels delivered by the government and to attach them on each catch.

There is an increase in kangaroo meat consumption. Kangaroo meat is said to be healthier than other meats. Kangaroos being generally healthier than cattle, their meat is weaker in grease. 

For these reasons consumption increases in restaurants, butchers’ shops and supermarkets, and it is exported. Their leather of great quality is also used.

A controversial Australian industry....

Associations dispute the figures given by industry. They think that many more kangaroos are killed - some say the double -, that the quotas are not adjusted according to the climate, that hunting unbalances the species, that the meat is not so healthy as industrials claim it is.

The rescue of the kangaroos

When some hunt the kangaroo for its skin or its meat, others devote their efforts to saving them or to raising them. In Australia, certain associations collect wounded or abandoned kangaroos, and then release them. Some of them take care of very young kangaroos and develop very sophisticated techniques and knowledge to save them. With the force of courage, determination and patience, some save premature kangaroos of less than 200 grammes.

To conclude, kangaroos are increasingly numerous but they are hunted for their meat.

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