Jason Gillespie says mass killing of kangaroos for commercial gain is a ‘national disgrace’
Australian cricket great Jason Gillespie has turned wildlife warrior, campaigning against the “national disgrace” of mass killing kangaroos.
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Former Australian cricketer Jason Gillespie is backing a campaign to halt the killing of kangaroos across Australia which he says is a “national disgrace”.
Gillespie, who played 71 tests between 1996 and 2006, said it was time to stand up and show the world that Australia cared about protecting a national icon.
The native species deserved love and respect, he said, and should not be hunted for commercial gain.
About 150,000 roos will be killed in Victoria this year alone.
“Last summer the world watched in horror as a beautiful country burnt, showing an outpouring of love for all our precious wildlife,’’ Gillespie said.
“With the true impact of this catastrophe still unknown how can our government continue to allow the commercial hunting of the kangaroo?
“The mistreatment of wildlife on our national coat of arms is a national disgrace.’’
Gillespie is ambassador for the first Kangaroo Awareness Day on Saturday.
Native wildlife advocates want the day to shine a light on the number of roos that are killed every year in Victoria.
A total of 57,900 roos will be killed this year for the pet food program, which aims to help property owners dealing with overabundant kangaroos. The Kangaroo Harvesting Program was suspended in January across the North East and Gippsland because of the bushfires but then resumed in August.
Separate to that program, the state government issues permits to landowners under the Authority To Control Wildlife scheme. Last year 136,502 kangaroos were killed.
Chief Conservation Regulator Kate Gavens said the number of kangaroos controlled through ATCW permits in 2020 was “significantly lower” compared to this time last year.
A review into this system is being undertaken with vets and the RSPCA recommending that anyone seeking a permit should undertake training for shooting accuracy.
A spokeswoman for Agriculture Minister Jaclyn Symes said that while kangaroos were a protected species in Victoria, situations arose where they caused damage.
“The Kangaroo Harvesting Program helps to better manage kangaroo populations around the state which supports overall animal welfare outcomes while supporting jobs in Victoria’s kangaroo pet food industry,’’ she said.
Wildlife Victoria chief executive Megan Davidson said the killing of native animals because they competed with sheep and cattle was unethical, and she slammed the “sustainable use” of wildlife.
“The Japanese and Norwegians say their whaling is sustainable use, and the Canadian seal hunt is also conducted under this principle,’’ Dr Davidson said.
“Roo killing is the Australian equivalent of the whale and seal hunts. I’m surprised we don’t get a lot more international outrage about this treatment of an Australian icon.’’
Victorian Farmers’ Federation livestock group president Leonard Vallance said the VFF supported humane, sustainable management of kangaroos to ensure the environment and agriculture wasn’t affected by kangaroo overpopulation.
“When kangaroo numbers are well beyond natural levels, they have a serious impact on agriculture, native habitats, road safety, and the welfare of the kangaroos themselves.”
The VFF is supporting reform of the ATCW system to make the system easier for land holders.
The killing of roos has caused concern in some regional holiday areas such as the Grampians where the native wildlife is a tourism drawcard.
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