Scientists have warned of ‘catastrophic’ consequences for the kangaroo population in Australia if their numbers are not kept in check. Read to know why.
The threat to Australia’s kangaroo population
The past three years have offered perfect growth conditions allowing a population book for kangaroos. Their number increased to 60 million, increasing worry among ecologists. They believe culling them is kinder than allowing them to starve in the upcoming drought brought on by El Nino. As per experts, the last drought in Australia led to kangaroos across the outback dying in the most ‘fateful’ ways. “The last drought we estimated that 80 or 90 percent of the kangaroos in some areas died. They are starving to death – going into public toilets and eating toilet paper, or lying on the road starving while their joeys are trying to feed,” ecologist Katherine Moseby was quoted as saying by the news agency.
Moseby explained that mammals could starve to death in droves when the food runs out and the heat starts increasing. According to her and other experts, the kindest way to save them is by shooting them and harvesting their meat. “It keeps the numbers down so that when we do get drought we don’t get these welfare issues,” she said. “If we saw them as a resource and managed them like that, we wouldn’t get the catastrophic deaths that we see,” she explained. It is important to remember these mammals have a boom-and-bust population cycle. This means their number rises when food is plenty following a good rainy season. This can lead to an exponential increase by tens of millions.
Kangaroo culling: More on the suggestion
Proponents believe the move is positive as kangaroo meat is low in methane production and fat compared to other farm animals. However, those against the move believe humans are playing god by culling kangaroo populations. They are arguing it is inhumane to kill animals before nature runs its course. PETA, the animal rights organization called the claims by proponents ‘simply laughable’. “To say kangaroos are damaging the land they’ve lived on for 4 million years is simply laughable. Overgrazing by introduced sheep and cattle is the real culprit behind land degradation,” stated PETA.