Australia, Stop Brutally Killing Kangaroos for Meat and Skin

The world does not need kangaroo meat and skin, especially when kangaroos are brutally hunted and killed for commercial gain. 

Adult kangaroos are being shot and injured, and joeys decapitated, bludgeoned or left to suffer and die — all so these unique native animals can be sold as meat or skins. Now's your chance to speak out on the kangaroo shooting industry.

In four Australian states, the legal protections that usually apply to native wildlife are lifted so that kangaroos can be shot under commercial licences.

The National Code of Practice that is meant to apply to this slaughter is impossible to effectively enforce as shooting occurs in remote areas at night — leaving kangaroos to pay the price.

A revised version of this Code is in development, and AgriFutures Australia (a research and lobby body largely funded by the Australian Government) is conducting a public survey on attitudes and knowledge about the killing of kangaroos.

Key points

• Wildlife should be protected, not killed. A Code of Practice does not solve the problem that this industry is inherently cruel and not in line with community expectations of our treatment of native animals.
• Kangaroo shooting takes place at night, often in remote and shifting locations, which makes effective monitoring and enforcement of regulations impossible.
• In addition to those who are killed, the suffering of injured adults and orphaned joeys is unacceptable.
• Experts have raised serious concerns about the accuracy of government population counts of kangaroos risking the sustainability of kangaroos across their natural range.

Kangaroos desperately need your voice. Please sign this petition to vote against the commercial, cruel killing of kangaroos. By signing this petition, you are asking the Australian Government to end commercial hunting of wild kangaroos and tightened protection for Australia's kangaroo.

Other ways you can help

• Call on the Federal Environment Minister to protect our precious native wildlife and end the commercial kangaroo slaughter for good.
• Avoid buying into this cruelty by refusing to purchase kangaroo meat (including 'pet' meat), kangaroo skins or other products.
• View or arrange a screening of the acclaimed documentary 'Kangaroo: A Love-Hate Story'
• Enjoy this heartwarming interview with a dedicated kangaroo rescuer, Ian.
• Support your local wildlife rescue organisation and volunteers who help kangaroos in need.

As a personal note, I live in rural South Australia. Kangaroos used to frequent our property. But most of Australia is suffering severe drought conditions and we no longer see kangaroos. Their numbers are in drastic decline due to drought. Plus, approximately 3 million hectares of Australian habitat has been destroyed in recent months. Who knows how many kangaroos died in the bushfires? The Australian government is overestimating the number of kangaroos. Their numbers are in sharp decline. They need protecting before they become functionally extinct like the poor koala. 

Please sign and share this petition. Thank you.