Protect kangaroos from cruel slaughter

Large parts of Australia have been devastated by fire. Surviving kangaroos are under threat through the ongoing destruction of their habitat. Yet these iconic marsupials are still allowed to be killed for profit.

More than one billion native animals perished in Australia’s bushfire crisis in 2020. With their homes and sources of food gone, many of the surviving animals starved to death. And yet kangaroos continue to be the target of a commercial slaughter. Mothers will be shot. Orphaned joeys will be decapitated or bludgeoned to death. Some will simply starve…

Few people are aware that Australia’s national icon has become the target of a brutal slaughter. And despite devastating fires ravaging much of the country, the Australian Federal Government continues to give shooters a green light to kill millions of these gentle animals — all for the sake of profit.

Kangaroos are being slaughtered purely for money — fuelled by the international trade in kangaroo leather and meat products. Not only is the trade unnecessary and inherently cruel, as highlighted in the acclaimed documentary film ‘Kangaroo – a Love-Hate story’, experts are warning that the relentless slaughter is placing increased pressure on kangaroo numbers, putting the future of this unique species at risk.

Hidden far from the eyes of the public, the commercial kangaroo kill occurs in isolated locations, often in the remote Australian Outback, that make effective monitoring nearly impossible.

‘Useless’ orphaned joeys are decapitated or swung forcibly against a towbar. Some simply starve or are picked off by predators without the care of their mum. Of the millions of native kangaroos who are shot and killed every year, it’s unknown how many more escape wounded, only to endure a long and painful death.

After many years of drought, and brutal slaughter, kangaroos faced the worst bushfire crisis in history. Many burnt alive, survivors were so badly injured they needed to be euthanised, & others starved as there was simply no food for them to eat.

Belgium is the world’s largest importer of kangaroo meat. But after dedicated campaigning by the country’s national animal protection group, GAIA, as of January 2020 ALL nine supermarkets in Belgium stopped selling kangaroo products.

It’s time that Belgium’s Government responded to the growing calls to protect kangaroos and joeys at this crucial time, by banning all kangaroo meat imports.

Protect kangaroos & joeys from killings for profit!

If you agree that Australia’s kangaroos should be protected, please urge Belgium’s Prime Minister and Federal Minister of Employment, Economy and Consumer Affairs to introduce a legal ban on kangaroo meat.