Failure to cull hurts kangaroos and other species
6 July 07
ACT Greens MLA Deb Foskey is concerned that the Department of Defence has abandoned plans to reduce the numbers of kangaroos on two of its sites in the ACT.
“I sought and received the expert scientific advice prepared for the Department of Defence and have consulted widely” Dr Foskey said today.
“While I initially questioned the need to cull so many kangaroos, I have formed a clear view that the ecological arguments for it are overwhelming.”
“It is worrying that many people who are concerned about the welfare of the kangaroos may, in fact, be prepared to let them starve in a false understanding of what is good for them.”
“We also need to broaden our range of caring – so that lizards and insects are not left out of our sight in favour of furred creatures more like us.”
“Some decisions are difficult to make, both politically and for fear of doing harm – but in this case, it seems that shooting may have been the kindest and swiftest option.”
“At the end of this period of hand-wringing, we still have the original problem we were confronted with in May; two months have passed and now we are told that it is too late.”
“More likely it was too political in an election year.”
“But we have a responsibility to manage our native grasslands sustainably too, and to ensure the survival of the earless dragon and legless lizard.”
“I think that the ACT Government, along with other major land managers in the ACT, should sit down and work out a sustainable management plan for kangaroos.”
“Everything should be on the table, including consideration of our restriction against allowing a certain number of kangaroos – decided from year to year with the emphasis on the well-being of the animals and the sustainable level of their numbers – and setting up a sanctuary, perhaps on the Belconnen site, as a place where kangaroos can be seen in their natural environment.”
“We have to get smarter about this, seek expert advice and make decisions on ecological and animal welfare grounds,” said Deb Foskey.
