Dear Premier:

Not only was the so-called "culling" of the demonised kangaroos by the DNRE and the Defense Department in Puckapunyal, unacceptable and inhumane, but action taken by the DNRE (and the Defense Department) brought shame on your government and the scenario must not be repeated. Rather than bemoaning the various reasons why we object so strenuously to what occurred we put forward the following proposal as a suggested guideline for the government to follow so that such a situation does not arise again.

Let us be very clear about the word "CULL" when referring to kangaroos. A proper cull is the removal from the mob, of the old, sick, diseased, lame, frail and infirm animals, to provide a humane death for those suffering and to benefit the kangaroo populations. What DNRE has permitted is not a cull; it is a slaughter of kangaroos. I refrain from using names.

PROPOSAL
1. An on-going humane cull of kangaroos at Puckapunyal; of those that are sick or lame, very old or diseased or infirm to be undertaken by the RSPCA or someone who recognises when an animal needs to be humanely destroyed. I raised this issue with Peter Barber and others present at an RSPCA Meeting Monday July 8, 2002. This should be undertaken on a daily basis, considering the size of the Army base.

2. Removal of the disastrous ad hoc sheep fencing that has maimed and tortured so many kangaroos that have been caught up in the unacceptable barbed wire mishmash of present old fencing that supposedly is adequate to contain healthy kangaroo populations. There needs to be proper fencing and there can be no compromise about this terrible fencing which has proven to be a nightmare for kangaroos unfortunate enough to get caught in this cruel maize. Fran Bailey the MP who spoke so freely about killing kangaroos should have responsibility to obtain 'fencing funding' from the Defense Department.

3. Establishment of wildlife corridors are essential for kangaroos that are trapped, with no where to go to escape the suburban sprawl, for no matter where they go, they are shot. This situation is untenable and needs to be rectified. Provision of wildlife corridors so that kangaroos can escape if they need to and not be killed by the likes of farmer Andrew Thompson who brazenly and illegally shot kangaroos on May 31st 2002 (recorded Channel 9 for the 6:00 news). Many of these greedy and intolerant farmers conveniently forget that it is kangaroo habitat they occupy and it is they who need to learn to live with kangaroos, especially in times of drought.

I am sure that many of my colleagues will have other suggestions but it is important that we act swiftly. Every day that goes by sees more kangaroos mercilessly shot or hung up in the death trap fencing at Puckapunyal. Please implement our humane proposal.
Yours faithfully,

Maryland Wilson
President