Australia: Kangaroo culling quotas increased
The Australian state of Victoria is increasing kangaroo culling quotas by one third to 166,730 animals. Animal welfare advocates criticize the plan.
Culling quota increased by 27 percent
The state of Victoria in Australia has signed a plan to increase the number of legally killed kangaroos by one third, which is being criticized by animal welfare advocates.
It recommends increasing the number of grey kangaroos culled for meat production to 166’730 by 2023. The number of permits issued to landowners for shooting kangaroos on their properties is set to rise by 19% to 69’600.
Overall, the total quota of kangaroos to be killed has risen by 27%, from 185’850 in 2022 to 236’350 in 2023.
The increased quota results from aerial surveys conducted in September and October of last year across the state's seven kangaroo harvesting zones. On this basis, the statewide population of grey kangaroos was estimated at 2.4 million, and the recommended culling target for wildlife by hobby hunters was set at 10% of the total population.
“The grey kangaroo population in the non-forested parts of Victoria has increased by approximately 24% compared to the results of the 2020 aerial survey, with a marked increase in point estimates recorded in five of the seven harvesting zones,” according to a report by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action.
This increase is most likely attributable to the mild and moderately wet conditions that prevailed in Victoria over the past two years.
Criticism from animal welfare advocates
Newly elected Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell stated that kangaroos have suffered from natural disasters such as floods over the past 12 months.
«It is completely negligent of the Victorian government to accept a population report that does not take this into account at all», she said. «We do not know how many kangaroos were killed in the unprecedented floods in Victoria, and yet the government has approved an increase of 27%.»
«It is the wildlife carers, who are largely working on a voluntary basis, who have to clean up the mess of these barbaric culls approved by the Victorian government», said Purcell.
Wildlife Victoria: «Unnecessary and unethical»
The CEO of Wildlife Victoria, Lisa Palma, said the group was «appalled» by the decision. The «programme monetises the killing of kangaroos across Victoria and prioritises commercial interests over our unique and valuable wildlife».
«Wildlife Victoria opposes the kangaroo cull on the grounds that it is not sustainable, unnecessary and unethical, and that there is a lack of adequate on-site monitoring.»
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