Summary

It is a condition of a kangaroo harvester’s licence that they comply with the National Code of Practice for the Humane Shooting of Kangaroos and Wallabies for Commercial Purposes (Commonwealth of Australia 2008). The Code outlines the minimum standards that need to be achieved to minimise animal pain and suffering during the harvesting process. It provides information on specifications for firearms and ammunition and an overview of procedures for shooting target kangaroos and euthanasia of injured animals, pouch young and young-at-foot. The current edition of the Code was published in 2008 and was due to be reviewed in 2013.

Program

Kangaroo

Research Organisation

(DPI) The Crown in right of the State of New South Wales acting through the Department of Primary Industries within Regional NSW

Objective Summary

This project aims to deliver a revised National Code of Practice for the Humane Shooting of Kangaroos and Wallabies for Commercial Purposes. The current Code, published in November 2008 was due for review in 2013. The findings and recommendations from recent scientific research conducted to examine a range of significant issues—including welfare impacts on dependent kangaroo young; euthanasia methods for in-pouch young and young-at-foot; and male-only harvesting strategies—now needs to be incorporated into a new Code to ensure that harvesting is conducted in the most humane manner. Input into the development of a revised Code will be sought from kangaroo harvesters and animal welfare scientists with expertise in humane killing, in addition to the established Code revision project reference group. Widespread public consultation, using a web-based survey, will also be conducted to determine levels of understanding of and support for a draft revised Code.
Please note that due to the extensive public consultation required, we believe that the project will require 9 months to complete (rather than 6 months).