Kangaroos on Death Row

WONG:
Animal activists are stepping up protests against government plans to cull hundreds of kangaroos on an Australian military base. Here's the story.

STORY:
Wildlife Protection Association spokesman Pat O'Brien says the culling of animals that are identified with Australia could hurt tourism. Activists say they'll make human shields and demonstrate to protect the animals today.

[Pat O'Brien, Wildlife Protection Association]:
"Managing wildlife by killing it is not on anymore. This is the sort of thing we did hundred years ago."

The Eastern Grey Kangaroos are living on a military communications base in the nation's capital Canberra.

Even former Beatle member Paul McCartney is speaking up. He appeared on a website set up by a British animal welfare group called Viva! to condemn the act. Viva! or Vegetarians International Voice for Animals, has launched a Europe-wide campaign against the cull. By Wednesday it had gathered more than 1,300 protests signatures from 36 countries.

[Bernie Brennan, Activist]:
"If they have to dart them to kill them why can't they dart them to move? It's just a no brainer."

Authorities say the kangaroos threaten other local species through overgrazing, and is a way to look after the environment.

[Peter Garret, Australia's Environment Minister]:
"I think that we've got a fantastic record in this country of caring both for our wildlife and for our environment."

In 2004 there was an international outcry over the shooting of 900 kangaroos at a dam supplying water to Canberra. The animals were causing erosion problems through over-grazing.

Category:

Pets & Animals

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