Welfare

The killing of kangaroos results high welfare costs for all kangaroos. There is a growing awareness internationally of the government sanctioned cruelty towards kangaroos.

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IKPA’s key welfare concerns relate to:
> The millions of kangaroos and wallabies killed each year for commercial and non-commercial purposes;
> Intentional killing of kangaroos by shooting and poisoning;

>The fate of joeys after their mothers have been killed
> Impacts of shooting and fencing on kangaroo mobs;
> Lack of monitoring and enforcement of the Code of Practice at the point of kill.

Welfare issues

Kangaroo shooting

The most obvious way that humans impact the wellbeing of kangaroos is through shooting.

The killing of young kangaroos

When a female is killed she may have a joey in the pouch or a young at foot. IKPA has concerns for the fate of joeys after their mothers have been killed.

Disturbance to kangaroo mobs

Shooting disrupts the lives of kangaroos. This is because shooting damages mob culture and structure and causes immense psychological harm to kangaroos.

Legal protection of kangaroos

Kangaroos and wallabies are native and protected species, yet laws to protect kangaroo welfare are rarely enforced.

Kangaroos and Exclusion fencing

As one of the largest native animals in Australia, kangaroos are particularly prone to being trapped or injured by fences.

The 2020 Commercial Code of Practice

The new National Code of Practice for the Shooting of Kangaroos and Wallabies for Commercial Purposes came into operation in November 2020.