The kangaroo industry is based on the

harvesting (STERMINIO) of the large species of 

kangaroos, which are abundant and are

sustainably harvested in Australia under strict

government control. Many professional ecologists

support this industry on the basis that it delivers

significant environmental benefits.

Products

Kangaroo meat is widely consumed in Australia

and available in most Australian supermarkets.

It is also exported to over 55 countries.

Kangaroo leather is recognized as the strongest

leather in the world and extensively used in first

class sporting shoes and gloves.

It's a very lean meat and because of this it is also

very easy to ruin. It has a very gamey flavour that

is slightly reminiscent of a cross between beef and

venison.

The Harvest Quota Setting Process

For any kangaroo species to be harvested the

States National Parks Authority must have a

detailed Plan approved by the Federal

conservation Department.

These Plans must detail the population monitoring

and take the controls renewed every 5 years.

The populations fluctuate depending on seasonal

conditions, during droughts they can decline, or 

they can increase dramatically during good

seasons.

Each kangaroo taken by licensed harvesters must

have such a tag fixed to it. It help to know the

details of the exact number of the tags used, where

the tags were used and what species, sex and

weight of animal they were attached to.

Licensing Controls over Kangaroo Harvesters

In order to purchase the tags issued by the

Authorities an individual must be licensed

as a kangaroo harvester. To be licensed you

have to have had the official training, which

covers the regulatory controls and

compliance requirements, the animal

welfare controls and the hygiene controls

each harvester must adhere to.

Environmental Impacts of Utilising Kangaroos

The Kangaroo Management Plans have been

operating under strict and intensive supervision

for almost 30 years. Over this period the average

harvest per year has been in EXCESS of 2 million

animals.

Environmental Impacts of NOT Utilising Kangaroos

Several trials have indicated that an uncontrolled

kangaroo numbers present a risk to plant

 biodiversity. Kangaroos can not be

commercially harvested in National Parks,

as a result their numbers often rise to

staggering levels which sometimes require

culling programs to be used. 

Kangaroo utilisation and a new ecological model 

To date agricultural development in Australia has

largely been based on modified European

systems, using European animals. In recent

decades this Eurocentric view has come under 

considerable academic question. A ground swell

of opinion is developing that Australian’s should

develop management systems adapted to the

specific environmental conditions, not impose

systems adapted to Europe [18].

Under this philosophy utilisation of free ranging

 populations of native animals adapted to the

environment makes enormous environmental

wisdom.