3rd June 2012

Australian Society for Kangaroos activists have halted another kangaroo cull at Canberra nature reserves for a second night running. Last night protesters entered Goorooyarroo Nature Park after hearing shots fired within the park. They entered the park with torches, and making loud noises to attract the attention of shooters, and witnessed what they believe was shooters throwing dead kangaroos into a trailer. The shooters left the area after seeing the protesters, and police arrived soon after. Shooting was halted for the rest of the night.

For a second night running protesters have halted planned kangaroo slaughters conducted by the Canberra government. ASK and local activists have maintained a constant vigil at the nine nature reserves and have intervened and halted at least two operating culls.

ASK president Nikki Sutterby said today:

“These culls are not only cruel and unnecessary but they are putting the Canberra public at serious risk. These shootings are being carried out just metres from major highways and are sending terrified kangaroos into traffic at peak hour. Last night while shooting occurred at Goorooyaroo a large male kangaroo fled the park and caused a serious accident on the Federal Highway which adjoins the reserve. The collision caused major damage to the vehicle and put at risk the lives of the driver”.

“The ACT public has been lied to about these slaughters. They have no evidence that kangaroos are impacting on any native species and I challenge the ACT government to provide this evidence. In fact the grass is so long in the reserves due to high rainfall and the decimation of the kangaroo population that the parks are now also now a serious wildfire risk to the Canberra public. We will not walk away from this. We will continue our fight to stop this brutal and unnecessary slaughter of our national icon”, said Nikki Sutterby.

Download the Press Release pdf file here.