I have written before about the Annual ACT Government’s Kangaroo slaughter on our nature reserves.
Over the last 2 years I have watched the roo population of Red Hill plummet- confirmed by the government stats released at the conclusion of each 6 week killing spree. Over 1500 from Red Hill alone slaughtered.
I am highly educated. I have tried to understand their science behind their justifications. I wanted to be able to find some sort of peace for the killing of these peaceful grass eaters. I wanted there to be a science supporting removal of large numbers over the last 2 years. I could not.
I cannot reconcile the saving of the earless dragon at the expense of our reserve roos especially when the reserves are stomped over by hikers, bikers and dogs off leash ( surely off leash dogs can do so much more damage to earless dragon nests and habitats). The weed infestation of Red Hill with it’s fire risk must surely pose a larger risk to the dragons.
They indiscriminately shoot males and female roos and they rip joeys out of the pouches and club them to death. The government expends a lot of time providing vague platitudes to lull Canberrans into believing they will starve in drought and that the monitors involved love roos. Except Mr Barr- he asserts strongly that nothing will sway his from the annual blood bath.
Why is this happening? I cannot find justification for the killing or the brutality. Ethically, morally or ecologically.
A grid count of the remaining roos on Red Hill found 299 roos. Even allowing for a 50% error this leaves at best 450 roos- with no guarantee that these won’t be hunted and killed next winter.