Kangaroo industry facts for kids

The kangaroo industry in Australia is about carefully harvesting some types of kangaroos. This is done in a way that helps keep kangaroo numbers healthy. Many experts believe this industry is good for the environment. They say that using native kangaroos, which are already adapted to Australia, can be better for the land than raising introduced animals like sheep and cattle.

Kangaroo Products

You can find Kangaroo meat in Australian supermarkets, and it's also sent to over 60 other countries. Kangaroo leather is known around the world as being super strong but also very light. Because of this, it's often used to make high-quality sports shoes and gloves.

Kangaroo Populations

Australia has 48 different kinds of macropods, which include kangaroos. But only six common types can be harvested for commercial use.

Most of the kangaroo harvesting happens in Australia's dry grazing areas, called rangelands. Each year, experts estimate kangaroo numbers in states where harvesting is allowed. They use special aerial survey techniques, flying in low planes or helicopters to count kangaroos over specific paths. They've been doing this for 30 years, so their methods are very accurate. Kangaroos are one of the few animals (like humans!) that have their populations counted every single year.

Kangaroos are one of the most common large mammals on Earth. Their numbers can range from 25 million to 50 million, depending on the weather and how much food and water is available.

In the rangelands, there are actually more kangaroos now than before Europeans arrived in Australia. This is because the sheep and cattle industries have created more food and water sources. Before, these areas had very little surface water. Now, thanks to farming, most places in the rangelands are no more than 3 kilometers from a permanent water source, and none are further than 10 kilometers.

How Kangaroo Harvesting is Controlled

For any kangaroo species to be harvested, the state's wildlife authority needs a detailed plan. This plan must be approved by the federal government's conservation department. These plans explain how populations are monitored, how quotas (limits) are set, and how the harvesting is controlled. They are updated every five years.

Each year, after the kangaroo population is estimated, the plan sets a maximum number of kangaroos that can be harvested. This limit is usually between 10% and 20% of the total population. The state authority then gives out special plastic tags that are numbered and can be locked. These tags are designed so that if anyone tries to tamper with them, it will be very clear. Kangaroo numbers can change with the seasons, and sometimes droughts can cause their populations to drop.

Every kangaroo that is harvested by a licensed hunter must have one of these tags attached. The hunter and the company that processes the kangaroos must report back to the authorities every month. They share details like how many tags they used, where they were used, and what type, sex, and weight the animal was. The authorities keep a close eye on these tags to make sure the number of kangaroos harvested in any area does not go over the set limit.

For example, the plan for NSW divides the state into 15 different areas. Commercial kangaroo harvesting is allowed in 14 of these areas, but one large area (more than a third of the state) is completely off-limits. The kangaroo population is estimated in each area, and a specific harvest limit is given to it. Tags are then given to conservation managers in each area. Hunters can only get these tags on two days each month. A hunter must use and report on all their tags before they can get more. If harvesting in an area gets close to its limit, that area is closed for the rest of the year.

Rules for Kangaroo Harvesters

To buy the special tags, kangaroo harvesters must have a license. To get this license, they have to go through special training approved by the government. This training teaches them about the rules, how to follow them, how to ensure animal welfare, and hygiene rules. They also have to pass tests from two different government departments, including showing they can use their firearms safely and accurately. Only then can they get the necessary licenses.

Kangaroo harvesters must follow strict rules called the 'Code of Practice for the Humane Shooting of Kangaroos'. This code says what types of powerful firearms must be used. It also requires that all animals are shot in the head to ensure a quick and humane death. The code also explains how to humanely deal with any young kangaroos found in a mother's pouch.

Any kangaroo or kangaroo product (like meat or skins) accepted by processors must have an approved tag. It must also come from a licensed harvester. Each processor must report monthly to the state authority how many kangaroos they bought, from whom, and the tag numbers.

Are Kangaroos Good for the Environment?

The plans for managing kangaroos have been in place for almost 30 years, with very careful supervision. During this time, more than 2 million kangaroos have been harvested each year on average.

Keeping Kangaroo Numbers Healthy

Even with over 2 million kangaroos harvested every year, the overall kangaroo population has actually grown. Even after a very bad drought (from 2005 to 2007), kangaroo numbers in 2008 were still at typical levels. Their current population of 25 million is only a little lower than the 25-year average of 26.7 million.

A study by the NSW Department of Agriculture used field research and advanced computer models. It showed why kangaroo populations are so good at recovering from harvesting. The study found that in many areas, 20-40% of a property is rarely visited by hunters. This is because the land is too rough or it's not profitable to hunt there. These areas become "refugia" or safe zones. Kangaroos in these safe zones are never harvested, and they help repopulate areas where harvesting does happen.

The scientists concluded that "kangaroo populations may be more resilient to harvesting than we had previously thought."

Effects on Kangaroo Species

Some people worry that harvesting might only select the largest kangaroos, which could affect the species' genes over time. However, scientific data strongly shows this is not true. Four recent reports have provided evidence against these claims:

• A 2001 report to the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service found: "There is no evidence of real or possible genetic 'deterioration' due to harvesting, nor any reason to suspect it."
• A report from the University of Queensland said that the commercial harvest is "unlikely to produce genetic changes in the population." This is because the traits being selected for are not strongly passed down, and only a small part of the population is harvested.
• A study of Queensland kangaroo populations, harvested at different rates (0% to 30%), showed no differences in their genetic diversity. This means that even heavily harvested populations had the same genetic variety as unharvested ones.
• A study by the NSW Department of Agriculture used very advanced computer models. It showed that even after hundreds of years of intense harvesting, there would be no impact on the genetic makeup of the kangaroo population. This is largely because of the "refugia" areas where kangaroos are never harvested. Animals and their genes move out of these safe areas, balancing any selection that might happen from harvesting.

What Happens if Kangaroos Are Not Used?

Some studies show that if kangaroo numbers are not controlled, they can harm plant diversity. Kangaroos cannot be commercially harvested in National Parks. Because of this, their numbers can sometimes get too high. When this happens, special culling programs are sometimes needed to reduce their numbers. For example, after a cull at Hattah-Kulkyne National Park in Victoria, scientists saw an increase in 20 rare or threatened plant species in the areas where kangaroos were culled, compared to areas where they were not.

Kangaroo Use and a New Way of Farming

For a long time, farming in Australia was based on European methods and animals. But recently, some experts have started to question this. They believe Australians should create farming systems that fit Australia's unique environment, instead of just using European ideas. Following this idea, using native animals like kangaroos, which are already adapted to the environment, makes good environmental sense.

To support this, the University of New South Wales has started a project. It aims to encourage farms to use native plants and animals, especially kangaroos. The project will watch the environmental benefits that come from doing this.

Kangaroos and Climate Change

Kangaroos produce very little methane gas. In contrast, farm animals like cattle and sheep produce a lot of methane. Methane is a powerful global warming gas, 21 times worse than carbon dioxide. The beef industry alone is estimated to cause 11% of Australia's carbon emissions. Using kangaroos instead of traditional livestock could help reduce these harmful gases.

Images for kids

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  Kangaroo steaks at a supermarket

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  Kangaroo leather hat

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  Historical illustration of Aboriginal Australians hunting kangaroos with spears

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  Eastern grey kangaroo: too many kangaroos can harm the soil and other animals' homes

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  The home of the unique Plains Wanderer bird is at risk from too many kangaroos eating all the plants