Eden Park Kangaroo Cull facts for kids
The Eden Park Kangaroo Cull was a plan to reduce the number of kangaroos at a large farm in Eden Park, Victoria, Australia. In October 2010, the Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE (NMIT) asked for permission to remove 300 eastern grey kangaroos. This farm was 320 hectares (about 790 acres) and included a vineyard and a horse stud.
NMIT said there were over 1500 kangaroos on their land. They claimed the kangaroos were eating too much grass. They also said the kangaroos were damaging fences, grapevines, and protective netting.
The government department responsible for wildlife gave NMIT a 12-month permit. This permit allowed them to cull, or humanely kill, the kangaroos. NMIT had hired a group called Ecoplan to study the kangaroo population. Ecoplan suggested removing 300 kangaroos each year for three years. Their report estimated about 710 kangaroos were on the property.
Why People Opposed the Cull
Many people in Eden Park and groups like the Australian Society for Kangaroos were against the cull. They wanted to know if other ways to manage kangaroos had been tried. They believed there might be kinder ways to solve the problem.
In December 2010, the Victorian government department explained its decision. A spokesperson said that too many kangaroos could be dangerous near roads and towns. They stated that the cull was a "last resort," meaning it was their final option.
However, protests began against the cull. Local residents, the Whittlesea Council, and kangaroo protection groups held protests. They even kept 24-hour watches outside the Eden Park property.
In February 2011, the Whittlesea Council voted to ask the government to stop the cull. Four out of five local politicians also asked the government to halt the plan. In March 2011, protesters started a continuous watch. They even said they would physically try to stop the cull if needed.
Experts also questioned the plan. Professor Steve Garlick, who studies kangaroos, reviewed the Ecoplan report. He said the report did not provide enough good reasons to kill the kangaroos. He felt it lacked strong evidence and ethical thinking.
Another expert, Raymond Mjadwesch, also reviewed the report. He said the plan seemed designed to justify shooting kangaroos. He found no scientific method, data, or clear analysis in the report. He concluded that the report's findings could not be trusted.
Concerns About Animal Welfare
RSPCA Australia Victoria, an animal welfare group, said they would investigate any reports of cruelty. Their president, Hugh Wirth, mentioned that herding kangaroos was against the rules. The permit required wounded animals to be killed quickly with one shot to the head.
After some kangaroos were shot in March 2011, the Australian Society for Kangaroos made serious claims. They said four kangaroos were found shot in the stomach and left to suffer.
An RSPCA inspector, Greg Boland, looked into two of these deaths. A vet's report on one kangaroo suggested it might not have died instantly. This meant the animal could have suffered before it died. Boland asked for witnesses to come forward to help with an investigation.
