Australia is set to cull 2,000 kangaroos starting Monday to control its disrupting population.
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Government will close 10 reserves across the region to accommodate culling of 1,991 kangaroos to control the population of eastern grey kangaroos that are now threatening the territory. To date, the government has already culled more than 4,000 kangaroos as part of its annual measure.
Daniel Iglesias, director of Parks and Conservation of the ACT Government, said the culling is necessary to preserve the environment. Over-abundance of the eastern grey kangaroos causes loss of vegetation. If no immediate action is done, complete degradation may occur in certain areas.
"We know that it can lead to de-vegetation and the complete degradation of certain areas if we let it go too long," said Iglesias.
Iglesias clarified that the government is not planning to eradicate the animals, but only trim them down to a sustainable population.
The government will pursue culling amid protests from animal activists.
A month ago, Chris Klootwijk from Canberra was found guilty of disturbing kangaroo culling last July. Klootwijk was at the scene of the cull, blowing a whistle to warn the shooters of his location. Klootwijk claimed that the operation was not done legally. Cull arrangements state that a shooter must ensure that a kangaroo is dead before proceeding to kill other animals.
For this, Iglesias is calling all protesters to conduct their protests in a peaceful manner, without putting others in jeopardy.
Are there other ways to curb the population of kangaroos?
At present, scientists are working on fertility drugs as an alternative measure. With the way things are going, Iglesias said, the drug may become available in the coming years.
The culling, if not delayed, is expected to end on Aug. 1.
This is not the first time the Australian government turned to culling as a means to control over population. In July 2015, the government proposed to kill approximately 2 million feral cats that are threatening the extinction of plants and other animal species.
Photo: Ron Knight | Flickr
