This year, the State Government – as part of its Kangaroo Harvesting Program (KHP) – has set the quota for commercial shooting of kangaroos in the central region of Victoria at 65,100 grey kangaroos.

The total 2023 KHP quota for the entire state is 166,750. This means that a significant percentage (around 40 per cent) of kangaroos culled in Victoria will be coming from the central region. And the central region, in terms of area, is the smallest in the State.  

In addition to the recommended commercial harvesting target, landholders can cull kangaroos with an Authority to Control Wildlife (ATCW) permit. This year, the quota for ATCW permit holders in the central region is 16,950. This means that a total of 82,050 kangaroos will potentially be killed in Mt Alexander, Macedon and adjoining municipalities.

That’s a large number of kangaroos being culled across a relatively small area.

Wildlife rescuer and advocate Ian Slattery is opposed to the commercial shooting of kangaroos and put his views to the [Tarrangower] Times. “Kangaroo shooting is carried out under cover of darkness and people don’t see it,” he said. “But I can tell you that it’s cruel and unnecessary to shoot these animals and feed them to our pets.”

According to Mr Slattery, the kangaroo population in central Victoria isn’t big enough to justify kangaroo shooting. “Last year, shooters couldn’t meet their quota,” he said. “That’s an indication that the roos just aren’t out there in large numbers.”

Mr Slattery emphasised that it was commercial shooting of kangaroos he was opposed to, not the ATCW scheme which permits farmers to protect their crops and pastures. He believes that commercial shooters are presently working in the Taradale area. One of the saddest outcomes of this activity is the fact that Mr Slattery has had to go out and euthanise kangaroos that have not been cleanly shot.

“Ring or write to your local State MP, and to the responsible State and Federal ministers if you care about this issue, plus your local councillor,” Mr Slattery said. “As wildlife rescuers, we see what goes on. Commercial kangaroo harvesting is unnecessary – it’s a big lie.”

As Mr Slattery and others approached Mt Alexander Council last year with their concerns about commercial kangaroo harvesting in the Shire, the [Tarrangower] Times spoke to local Councillor Stephen Gardner. “Council obviously can’t stop the KHP, but we are in a position to advocate on behalf of those opposing it,” he said.

Cr Gardner said that he would like to see the KHP ending, but he remains supportive of the ATCW scheme. “The kangaroo is a native animal and I don’t want to see it wiped out,” he said. “It doesn’t create local jobs and there’s an element of danger with high powered rifles being used around houses on the outskirts of our towns. As I drive to and from meetings at night, I have noticed there’s a fair bit of spotlighting going on.”

What of the other side of the coin? The State Government has accumulated data – using aerial surveys – to calculate that there has been a 24 per cent increase in the grey kangaroo population over a three-year period in non-forested areas across Victoria. There is a recommendation, therefore, that culling be carried out.

If culling is necessary, then the argument follows that the end-product should be used sustainably. Production of kangaroo meat (for human and animal consumption) plus other kangaroo products are therefore a commercially viable and ecologically sound option. 

Which side of the fence are you on?

This article appeared in the Tarrangower Times, 16 June 2023.