The Australian Society for Kangaroos has offered the Tasmanian government free veterinarian services to carry out a vasectomisation program on the male wallabies and kangaroos on Maria Island, Tasmania, in an effort to prevent the ongoing killing of these gentle marsupials

Last month, in a attempt to initiate more humane, long term alternatives to the government’s annual shooting of wallabies and kangaroos on Maria Island, the Australian Society for Kangaroos contacted a list of credible veterinarians, professional wildlife handlers and volunteers, to dart and vasectomise male wallabies and kangaroos on Maria Island, most of whom agreed to be part of the program.

“We have offered the services of veterinarian’s, professional macropod handlers, dartsmen and wildlife volunteers, who have agreed to provide their services free of charge to the Tasmanian government in an effort to put in place long term and humane alternatives to the annual shooting of wallabies and kangaroos on Maria Island”, said Nikki Sutterby, Coordinator, Australian Society for Kangaroos.

“Vasectomising the males is not an expensive or complex procedure. The animals can be darted, sedated and then operated on very quickly in the field. The veterinarians and macropod handlers could work in teams over a period of weeks to locate, vasectomise and tag the males. The experienced volunteers could then monitor the animals as they woke from their sedation. This process could then be repeated in six months time. Within a short period, this program could stabilise the kangaroo and wallaby population on Maria Island so that shooting was no longer required”, said Ms Sutterby.

PLEASE FIND LETTER OF OFFER ATTACHED.

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