A letter from the Industry!Here is letter from the Industry dated 2002 expressing concern over the low numbers of kangaroos! The kangaroo industry in NSW is startng to express some considerable conceer over the effects of the current drought on the kangaroo population. As you know we as a group probably hold more concern over the healtb of the kangaroo population than any other group in society. Most processors in NSW are now seeing marked effects of the drought in terms of stock supply. Whilst we all know the long term survival of kangaroos is not in question, we are increasingly concerned over the health of the population as a resource post drought. In particular we are greatly concerned over suggestions of a government subsidised cull under damage mitigation permits via BRS funding. I'm sure I need not remind you that extensive computer modelling has suggested that the one strategy most likely to significantly depress kangaroo populations to extremely low leveIs in the long term, is heavy culling immediately before the breaking of a long term drought.
With our concern over the long term health of the population in mind the KIAA's NSW Branch has voted unanimously to call on NP & Ws to investigate the possibility of imposing a minimum size limit to dressed weight on any kangaroo harvested commercialIy or culled under a damage mitigation permit. We believe this would help ensure the recovery of the kangaroo population post drought. It would give some level of protection to the young animals on which the population will be dependent to regenerate the population, May I suggest a face-to-face meeting with NPWS and the Kangaroo Wholesalers as soon as possible to discuss the effect the drought has had to date on the harvest, and National Parks view on the effect it will have on the quota for 2003. Can you please advise on these issues as soon as possible. Signed Ray Davis, KIA NSW President* Our Comment. NSW National Parks and Wildlife did put on a minimum weight limit...13 kg. However, a kangaroo of that size is barely old enough to breed. According to NSW NPWS figures we have in our possesion, in 2001 the average weight of kangaroos left at processing plants was 21 kg. Experts that we talk to tell us there is no doubt that a live kangaroo of that size (13kg dressed, or 16 to 18 kg alive) would even be thinking of breeding, especially during such a long and savage drought. How sustainable is this Industry....it's not sustainable at all!
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As an industry we are opposed to any such subsidised cull. We do not for example consider kangaroos to be a pest. We believe that any such cull is not necessary since the current level of demand for kangaroos is more than adequate to service any region in the State, unless of course it is the intention to place the population under an unsustainably high level of culling pressure.
