Summary

During the commercial harvesting of kangaroos, it is a
requirement of a national code of practice (Anon., 2020) that the pouch
young of shot females are euthanased using an acceptable method and that
dependent young-at-foot are also euthanased wherever practically
possible to prevent suffering. However, the current methods (decapitation or
cervical dislocation for unfurred pouch young and concussive blow to the head for
furred pouch young and small young-at-foot that can be caught by hand) can
sometimes be applied inconsistently by operators and are often perceived by the
public to be inhumane. The aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness and
suitability of an alternative euthanasia method, the captive bolt device (CBD).

We will evaluate the effectiveness of both penetrating and
concussive non-penetrative CBDs to euthanase kangaroo dependent young during
commercial harvesting. Effectiveness will be determined using electroencephalographic
(EEG) and behavioural responses to stunning and post-mortem assessment of
traumatic brain injury.

Recommendations from the study will be included in a
standard operating procedure (SOP) for kangaroo harvesters and the results of
the study will be presented in a workshop for industry and government regulators
as well as a project final report.

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