Sanctuary Cove slammed for kangaroo slaughter plan
FIVE-star resort Sanctuary Cove is under fire over starting the slaughter of 100 kangaroos living within the precinct.
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FIVE-star resort Sanctuary Cove is under fire over starting the slaughter of 100 kangaroos living within the precinct.
Environmentalists are outraged the $2-billion resort for the rich and famous has refused to consider nonlethal means of control, opting instead to euthanise almost a third of the kangaroo population.
Wildlife management service Endeavour Veterinary Ecology refused to carry out the cull, saying it was “unethical” when other options were available.
Managing director and wildlife veterinarian Dr Jon Hanger said the kangaroo population had exploded after the resort failed to maintain its reproduction suppressant program.
“Unfortunately, Sanctuary Cove has been slack in maintaining the program and the population spike is the result,” Dr Hanger said.
“This is an appalling decision. Clearly they have to manage the population, but they have ignored nonlethal options.
“It is a poor image for Sanctuary Cove, it is a poor image for the Gold Coast and given the Commonwealth Games are around the corner, is not a sensible decision.”
In a statement, Sanctuary CovePrimary Thoroughfare Body Corporate said they engaged wildlife experts to assist in the “prompt management of these animals to assist in preventing any further issues”.
“Sanctuary Cove Primary Thoroughfare body corporate recognises that some individuals may have differing views about the most appropriate methodology for management of the kangaroo population. It is for this reason that the body corporate has relied upon the expert opinion of those with the most knowledge, has included various management methods to be implemented at different stages during the period of the plans implementation, and ultimately has relied on the State Government as the authorising body to ensure full compliance.”
They would not answer question why the kangaroos were being culled.
It is believed the animals would be tranquillised and then taken away to be euthanised by injection.
Dr Hanger said his company was consulted over the situation at Sanctuary Cove and advised the use of a new reproductive vaccine which has proven to effectively control numbers.
“Once Sanctuary Cove made the decisions to proceed with the cull, we withdrew and refused to be involved.
“From an ethical point of view, I just do not think it is justified when there are nonlethal methods available.
“We would be happy to help them, but we will not be involved in culling when there are other options.”
Gold Coast and Hinterland Environment Council campaign co-ordinator Lois Levy appealed to the resort to find an alternative.
“Surely there is something other than wholesale slaughter? Will they kill family groups or split families?,” said Ms Levy.
“It’s very sad. Surely a resort the size of Sanctuary Cove could employ someone to keep up the contraceptive program.”
Wildcard Australia president Karen Scott condemned the cull and has created a petition to stop the cull.
“They are claiming that they are removing the aggressive kangaroos, but that is not the case,” said Ms Scott.
“They are culling 100 and we have been told they have plans to cull another 100.
“It’s just not right, there are nonlethal options that should be considered.”
Ms Scott said visitors to the Gold Coast would be “horrified” one of it’s most famous resort’s was culling kangaroos.
“A lot of these visitors come to Australia to see kangaroos. Imagine how they would react?”
Market research by the Sustainable Tourism Cooperative Research Centre (STCRC) has shown that 18.3 per cent of international tourists are attracted to Australia singularly because of its wildlife with 67.5 per cent of all international tourists want to see animals.
A $25.2 billion expenditure by these same travellers equates to between $2.7 billion and $5.5 billion of value from tourism with wildlife,
In a statement on their website, Sanctuary Cove Golf Club said there had been issues with aggressive kangaroos it had engaged wildlife experts Naturecall Environmental to “assist in the prompt management of these animals to assist in preventing any further issues”.
“This program is being conducted under professional environmental consultancy and with the full knowledge and support of the relevant authorities, and as such the welfare of each animal is of high priority.
“The health and safety of residents and guests at Sanctuary Cove is of the highest priority.”
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