University of Technology, Sydney

 

RSPCA Australia and WSPA support THINKK report

Published December 07, 2011 07:58

THINKK is delighted to announce that RSPCA Australia and WSPA have supported the recommendations in its report The ends and the means of the commercial kangaroo industry: an ecological, legal and comparative analysis.

The report recommends that there is a need to reassess the justification for commercial kangaroo killing under the current quota system and for kangaroo management at the property level. Further research and policy is required to ensure the humane treatment of dependent young and adult kangaroos impacted by the industry.

In RSPCA Australia's letter of support Dr Bidda Jones, Chief Scientist of the RSPCA, states:

'RSPCA Australia is opposed to the killing of wild animals for commercial utilisation unless this is carried out as part of a wild animal management program that aims to protect the welfare of individual animals, help conserve a threatened, endangered or vulnerable native species, or reduce adverse impacts on human activities or the environment.

In most jurisdictions, the management of kangaroos through commercial and non-commercial shooting no longer directly relates to any of these aims. Kangaroo management plans treat kangaroos as a sustainable resource available for commercial use, rather than making a decision for control as a result of examining their impact on agricultural activities or the environment. RSPCA Australia believes that the issue of whether kangaroos should continue to be killed under a sustainable use policy should be reviewed by both federal and state governments as a matter of urgency.'

WSPA's letter of support states:

'Sadly the findings within this report have shocked our organisation, and the cruelty endured by kangaroos is worse than anticipated. We were appalled to discover that every year over 800,000 young continue to die as collateral damage, and that 120,000 kangaroos may be miss-shot annually, thanks to the commercial kill.

Leaving orphaned young to die of starvation or predation would not be acceptable in livestock industries, therefore we should ensure this does not happen to wildlife affected by human activities.

WSPA agrees that the legitimacy of the commercial kill should be re-evaluated on the grounds of necessity and ethical considerations.'

Read RSPCA Australia's full letter of support here.

Read more about RSPCA Australia's view on kangaroo management here.

Read WSPA's full letter of support here.

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