DROUGHT AND KANGAROOS
by Maryland Wilson
 Kangaroo
populations suffer dramatically during drought. Many Australians
have been convinced (since childhood) that the kangaroo species
is indestructible and in fact, continues to reproduce, even during
drought.
This
is a fallacy!
Though Red kangaroos can breed
continually in good seasons, females cease to breed and pouch
young die in drought (Newsome 1965). Contrary to media reports
during drought times, kangaroos do not keep reproducing and suffer
greatly due to poor body condition and associated stresses. During
severe droughts (which are common) over 50% 0f kangaroos on average,
in any one area will die. However. The industry shows no mercy
and insist on extracting its' profit on an already stressed population.
Kangaroos suffer greatly from stress induced, and related illnesses
but the Authorities do not take stress into account and continue
to attack kangaroo mobs night after night.
On
a field trip to the NSW Fowler's Gap Research Station.
July
1997, Neil Ward, NSW National parks and Wildlife Service Regional
Manager said "The kangaroo industry needs to keep killing kangaroos
even during drought as it cannot survive without a steady, continuous
supply of meat and skins."
This
certainty for industry is reinforced by Senator Hill the Federal
Environment Minister, In his January 2000 " Inquiry To Examine Biological
Resources" which will streamline the access regime that develops
"certainty for industry" (this even during drought) and ensure that
Australians get maximum commercial benefit from our biological resources.
This will ensure that commercial returns take precedence over our
native animals but at what cost to them?
And
the environmental damage caused by the Kangaroo Industry is immense.
Kangaroo shooters' vehicles criss cross fragile outback terrain,
causing erosion, and disturbance of rare fauna and flora.The kangaroo
killing industry is not environmentally friendly nor is the product
obtained hygienic, with the accompanying flies, flying and crawling
insects, the dust hazard and contamination from the faeces of other
animals. and the killing of kangaroos goes on even during the droughts
which continually ravage the country and its native inhabitants.
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