So what is the National Kangaroo Protection Coalition, and what does it do?The National Kangaroo Protection Coalition arose from the ashes of a Kangaroo Symposium held at the University of NSW, in Sydney in 2001. This Symposium provided the impetus for leading Australian wildlife protection groups to form a strong new Coalition to campaign against the commercial kangaroo industry. Supported by Juliet Gellatley, Director of British animal rights group Viva! the involved groups now present a strong coordinated push to end the commercial kangaroo kill. The coalition became known as the National Kangaroo Protection Coalition. It started as a loose alliance of several groups, and now in 2006 consists of a powerful coalition of 30 Australian groups, all of whom work independently to end the commercial killing of kangaroos. The groups network between each other, and they facilitate an exchange of information and good scientific data to concerned groups, individuals, and the broader community. Pat O'Brien, President of the Wildlife Protection Association of Australia Inc., is the NKPC coordinator. The goal of the Coalition was origonally to end the commercial killing of kangaroos, but now with populations so low it is imperative that all kangaroo shooting, commercial and non-commercial must cease.
The Mission Statement is as follows: The National Kangaroo Protection Coalition will * promote the concept of the intrinsic value of kangaroos and other wildlife * work with other organisations Australia-wide to achieve its goal * disseminate accurate information about kangaroos * promote an awareness of myths and facts about kangaroos * develop and promote a vision for the way ahead. The Member groups of the National Kangaroo Protection Coalition * initiate and take part in public forums raising awareness of the animal welfare, environmental, economic, tourism and other issues associated with the commercial kangaroo kill at district, state and national levels (write letters to the paper write and meet with politicians, run stalls, provide displays in libraries, organise conferences etc.) * gather information on companies making use of kangaroo products and provide the public with this information * conduct fund raising activities to fund campaigns * work to widen the membership of the Coalition as far as possible incorporating animal welfare, environmental and other organisations * work cooperatively with the International Coalition against the commercial killing of kangaroos * produce campaign materials. People or groups supporting the campaign can receive regular information emails about the National Kangaroo Protection Coalition, by visiting the NKPC website and there subscribing to Kangamail, the NKPC ezine.
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