ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES ASSIGNMENT
The documentary “Kangaroo Mob” exemplifies the problematic behaviour of Canberra’s Eastern Grey Kangaroos whilst acknowledging the fundamental concerns of eradicating the species to reduce numbers to sustainable levels. Amidst the controversy that has aroused strong perceptions and evoked confrontations; there are ethical concerns. Due to the drought the food supply has diminished and subsequently the Eastern grey kangaroos have encroached neighbouring communities in search of a reliable source of sustenance. This in turn has instigated issues as culling of Eastern Grey Kangaroos frequently occurs in the Canberra Nature Park.
The killing of the kangaroos is ...view middle of the document...
At natural population levels, kangaroos cause no environmental degradation and have progressed as a part of the Australian ecosystem. However, since European settlement populations have increased substantially due to the introduction of European farming methods. The vast removal of vegetation allowed more grassland for which the kangaroos thrived with numbers increasing dramatically. To protect the environments natural balance it is imperative that numbers are reduced to a reasonable level. Steven O’Donnell an Australian government licenced kangaroo shooter argues that culling is a ‘necessary evil’ stating that the issue is made worse due to drought.
The Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has strict control on kangaroo harvesting through the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The Eastern grey kangaroo as well as the Red kangaroo and Western grey kangaroo are the abundant species that are commercially harvested within Australia making up 90 per cent of the commercial harvest. Population size have fluctuated throughout the past 25 years with the combined number between 15 and 50 million in harvested areas. The seasonal conditions contribute to the overall number. The harvesting is founded upon a quota on the basis of population size, long-term climate predictions and trends that is reviewed annually. According to the Australian government ‘conservation of the species remains the foremost consideration.’ An ecologically sustainable approach is paramount.
Countless animal activist organisations have proposed relocation be an alternative to culling. In particular the Alphadog Animal Welfare Foundation have advocated that dart guns be used to tranquilise and relocate to southern areas of Namadgi National Park. Support for such an alternative is increasing following the culling operation in ACT nature reserves killing more than 1100 adult kangaroos and 350 joeys. The Minister for Territory and Municipal Services anticipates a translocation trial to determine its feasibility as an alternative to...