Australians say it’s time to put an end to trophy hunting of emus, kangaroos in Texas
Australians have reacted angrily to the revelation that hunters in the US are paying $10,000 to “trophy hunt” kangaroos.
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Australians have expressed their outrage at US shooters “trophy hunting” kangaroos and emus as a new report from Florida reignites the belief that kangaroos are now breeding in the wild in America.
News Corp Australia revealed this week that the Ox Hunting Ranch in Texas offers packages to hunt kangaroos for $A12,000 and emus for $A1500, boasting that even Australians visit their killing fields because they can’t slaughter the animals for fun at home.
As Australians reel from the loss of an estimated one billion native animals in the summer bushfires, the Ox Hunting Ranch in Uvalde, Texas invites hunters to take down the Aussie coat of arms animals because they are “a rare treat”.
Many News Corp Australia readers were appalled.
“Canned hunting (the killing of an animal in an enclosure to obtain a trophy) is evil and should be banned … sick of seeing smiling killers,” said Brendan, referring to a photo on the company’s website of a smiling couple with a dead kangaroo in their lap.
Stu also took offence to the picture: “I don’t get the trophy photo; you killed something from miles away that you didn’t have to confront and didn’t even know you were there. Of what do you have to be proud?”
“Killing for fun is an obscene and heartless thing to do,” said Rachael.
Our story also reported that a push was underway to establish a wild kangaroo population in the US for hunting and pet food.
But it’s likely that a wild population might soon be established without any planning or management being involved.
And just days ago, the Miami Herald reported that a kangaroo had been seen hopping around South Florida, with local animal experts saying it had likely escaped from someone’s personal pet collection.
“It’s unclear where the kangaroo is from and how it ended up there,” the Miami Herald said.
“Perhaps it’s a pet that escaped from its owner’s home, but Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spokeswoman Carrol Lyn Parrish told the Miami Herald that a check on permit holders does not list anyone that owns kangaroos in the area.” But a spokeswoman for Zoo Miami said the animal probably “got out of someone’s collection”.
Animal Liberation Australia CEO Lynda Stoner says her organisation will call on the Australian government to petition the US to stop the trophy hunting of Australian native animals in the US, and to resist any move to establish a wild kangaroo population there.
Ox hunting Ranch says on its site that hunters can “hunt our Red Kangaroos using any method you prefer”.
“And killing them possibly with bows and arrows? Diabolical,” said Fiona.
David replied: “I would like to see one of these hunters go one-on-one with one of those roos.”
“I laugh at people calling this hunting! Shooting pretty much tame animals. While not go the whole hog and tie them down first! Hunt … you gotta be joking,” said Mick.
While some readers argued kangaroos were a “pest” that needed to be culled, John W made the point: “A big difference between culling in the wild by farmers and land owners, which they’ve been doing for ever, and hunting in an area for the sheer pleasure of killing.”
Neil countered: “More kangaroos and emus get shot per day in Australia than will EVER be shot in the USA.”
To which Joe replied: “Ours are shot for environmental and production reasons. Not fenced in for ‘sport.’ There’s a major difference.”
Another reader, Greg, said: “You obviously live in the city because talk to any farmer about kangaroos and shooting them and you will flee back to the sanctuary of the inner west in double time.”
But Paul and Chris disagreed.
“Anyone who kills another living thing for fun is sick. And they are seriously gutless too,” said Paul.
Chris agreed: “Anyone who kills for the fun of it needs to undergo analysis. There is NOTHING enjoyable about killing a defenceless animal.”
AMERICANS PAYING TO KILL EMUS, KANGAROOS FOR FUN IN TEXAS
Exclusive: A Texas ranch is selling “trophy hunting” packages for kangaroos and emus for $A12,000, boasting that even Australians visit their killing fields because they can’t slaughter the animals for fun at home.
As Australians reel from the loss of an estimated one billion native animals in the summer bushfires, the Ox Hunting Ranch in Uvalde, Texas invites hunters to take down the Aussie coat of arms animals because they are “a rare treat”.
And the kangaroos are being terrorised on the ranch, with Ox Ranch saying “their speed and stamina frustrate our pet wolf to no end!”.
“Female kangaroos have three vaginas!” the company says on its website, further explaining that females are always pregnant.
“Kangaroos are one of the most unique species found at Ox Ranch.
“We’ve had hunters fly all the way from Australia to hunt kangaroo at the Ox Ranch due to it being illegal to recreationally hunt them in Australia!”
The trophy hunting fee for kangaroos is $US7000 (more than $A10,000) and $US1000 ($A1500) for emus – which are flightless and can be easily picked off by shooters.
“Emus … are not your typical exotic to hunt; nonetheless, we offer them. Emus are usually very friendly, but don’t let this fool you!”
News Corp Australia has been told by reputable animal breeders in the US who care passionately about kangaroos that the American hunting lobby has been trying to establish a kangaroo population in the wild for hunting and pet food.
Ox Hunting Ranch did not respond to requests to be interviewed.
The CEO of Animal Liberation Australia, Lynda Stoner, has called for the Australian government to pressure the US to stop the hunting of native Australian animals in the US.
She also said the US should not be allowed to breed kangaroos in the wild.
“It is truly galling for the US to be breeding kangaroos. They can’t even claim so-called conservation as a motive,” Ms Stoner said.
“Just greed. Cashing in on animals for their ‘exotic status’. Vanity hunting.
“What kind of people require that status building? How inept in all areas of their life they must be to sink to this.
“We will petition the Australian Government to stop the breeding of kangaroos and emus in the US and this cowardly form of hunting.”
The company did not respond to queries from News Corp Australia.
However, a sales adviser spoke to a News Corp source who made an online query, explaining that kangaroo hunting was one of their more popular options.
The site features grim photos of slain kangaroos, with a couple and even a young woman posing with the dead animals.
Hunters are told: “You may hunt our Red Kangaroos using any method you prefer, including Spot and Stalk, Bow Hunting, Rifle Hunting, Pistol Hunting, Safari Style, or from a Blind.”
The website boasts that “we will drive you around the ranch hunting without the use of any lights!
“Or you can hunt from our Hunting Blind that holds 10+ people. The Blind has a TV that receives live game camera footage, a poker table, airconditioning and a fully stocked bar.”
The kangaroo hunting trophy fee includes field dressing, “100 per cent opportunity guarantee”, transport of the dead animal to meat processor and taxidermist, firearms and ammunition “if needed” and “meals included and prepared by an award-winning chef”, plus “all-inclusive beverages”.
Originally published as Australians say it’s time to put an end to trophy hunting of emus, kangaroos in Texas