Australian Society for Kangaroos
Tasmania's wildlife annihilation
30 August 2010:
According to the Tasmanian State of the Environment Report 2009, around one million wallabies and their joeys are killed annually by farmers and plantation owners in Tasmania, with 1.4 million killed between 2006 and 2007 alone.
Every year Tasmanian’s are killing around one million wallabies despite published research against it. According to the Tasmanian State of the Environment Report 2009, around one million wallabies and their joeys are killed annually by farmers and plantation owners in Tasmania, with 1.4 million killed between 2006 and 2007 alone. This is despite research published in a government newsletter proving the success of non- lethal alternatives such as chemical deterrents and wallaby proof fencing. The government newsletter “Research into the Alternatives to 1080”, also refers to research which shows shooting is an ineffective strategy for controlling wallabies, and that even if 90% of the population in an area is killed, the remaining 10% can cause the same damage. A trial reported in the newsletter also showed that there was no difference in the number of animals observed at sites where shooting was used, compared to those where there no shooting occurred. Another survey revealed that 50% of participants regularly shot wallabies even when there was ‘not much’ damage being done.
Tom Locke lives in Tasmania and his property adjoins a timber plantation. His plans for a peaceful life in the bush has become a nightmare as he is regularly confronted with dead and injured wallabies and joeys shot by his neighbour.
“With proven economical non lethal alternatives available, and the fact that shooting has been proven to be ineffective, why is the Tasmanian government continuing to allow land owners to slaughter wallabies in these incredible numbers?”, said Nikki Sutterby, Coordinator, Australian Society for Kangaroos.
You can listen to ASK on ABC’s World Today at the link below:
https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/worldtoday/tasmania-commences-kangaroo-cull/904058