One of the curious things about running a blog is that when you post a couple of thematically linked stories your readers start to send you more interesting related stories. And so here we are, posting another negative story about Australia. Believe me, I love Australia. I spent a bunch of time volunteering on sustainable development projects in Costa Rica with a multinational crew who’s standout members were Australians. I even like Vegemite! My pal Phil married an Aussie and moved there to set up a Sea Kayaking business; his accounts of life in Oz are magical. I dream of visiting Sydney, Melbourne, Yazz and Alice Springs. I get warm, fuzzy feelings when I think of my Commonwealth breathern on the other side of the world. Have I disclaimed enough?
Awright: The Australian government has declared open season on roos. The campaign against them reminds me of the buffalo hunts in olden America, and is absolutely repulsive.
And now, let us put this ugly period behind us. No more horrible Aussie stories, OK? Someone send me a warmhearted story about Blinky Bill, please.
Myth – Kangaroos are in plague proportions
Kangaroos have never been a plague. They have been wiped out in many regions. In others, their numbers build up in order to withstand the regular droughts which wipe out half the population. Kill quotas for 2001 were 5.5 million – but this figure ignores joeys, road deaths, illegal and non-commercial kills. This annual death toll amounts to 10 million – a patently unsustainable figure.Fact – Kangaroos are killed to earn foreign currency, which is why the meat and leather is promoted around the world. Having built an industry with political clout, self interest will ensure it carries on killing, whatever its impact on kangaroos.
(Thanks, Robert!)