The following was a letter sent by AWPC President, Maryland Wilson, to Lieutenant-General Peter Cosgrove expressing our concern for kangaroos caught up in military routines and exercises.
Army Training Exercises Causing Kangaroos to Panic Resulting in their Death and Maiming
Dear General Cosgrove,
We have received a letter asking us to do something about many hundreds of kangaroos that are being killed or maimed, when the army sends flares, fires weapons and conducts their night time training. This kangaroo panic also occurs when the RAAF from Richmond Air Base conduct bombing raids on the same range. Unfortunately every time this happens, the result is dead and injured kangaroos found on the road. Needless to say, these reports cause us grave concern for the welfare of the kangaroos and I would be appreciative if you would undertake an investigation into this matter as soon as possible.
Army Service Personnel as well as the general public should know that kangaroos have intrinsic value, requiring Duty of Care and concern for their welfare, and this issue must be addressed. Does the army ever even think about the ramifications of their actions on our unique nocturnal species of wildlife?
Specifically the area in question is the Singleton Army Range. The Mitchel Line Road runs off the New England Highway, first north of Branxton, NSW for 8 kilometres before entering Singleton. Then again on to the Putty Road west to Sydney from Singleton, left again on the Broke Road which runs back to Cessnock wine country. The triangular area inside these roads is the Army Range.
Army personnel should be taught that our native animals must be treated with respect and that all care should be taken to avoid harming them. It seems that soldiers have little regard for kangaroos as we have received other reports of abuse. The time is long overdue when such cruel treatment of our native animals ceased and alternative training areas be found. These are wild native animals and it is up to us humans to learn to live with them as they were here first and it is their habitat. What is occurring is untenable and unacceptable and we ask that you do something about it.
Sent with respect to you Sir in the hope that you will find a solution.
Maryland Wilson
President
Australian Wildlife Protection Council
cc: Jenny Hodges CEO
RSPCA Australia
