If a grim proposal for a road and sports facility construction in Western Australia is given the green light, three hundred kangaroos are set to be shot since the City of Canning Council’s extensive draft environmental assessment recommends against humanely relocating the kangaroos- because it’s too expensive.
The iconic Australian animals continue to survive on the 67-hectare site in the suburb of Canning Vale, south of Perth, despite the increased development of the area in recent years, residing in the nearby bushland as well as on the landfill and recycling facility.
If the plans are approved the kangaroos will be left to survive on just 22 hectares of bushland since large portions of the area will be cleared to make way for the new sports facility and a road.
The extensive draft report explains on its 99 pages that shooting the kangaroos would provide a ‘better welfare outcome’ and ‘only’ cost $30 per animal compared to other solutions that would be time-consuming and come at a much higher cost estimated at as much as $1600 per relocated animal, for example.
They can’t poison them since it’s an option deemed cruel and illegal and also can’t use tranquilizers since they won’t be able to sell their meat later due to the presence of chemicals. The report also doesn’t recommend alternative methods to control the roo population like fertility control and herding.
The Council argues in its proposal that on top of the overpopulation and disease issues, the kangaroos also pose ‘a risk to public health and safety’ and could cause repeated car accidents if they are not removed
Fully aware that the eradication of the kangaroos would cause likely outrage in the community, the City of Canning Council recommended in its management plan consulting a First Nations Land Manager, noting that the final draft of the plan is an ‘integrated approach’, which included culling of the kangaroos and removing food and water sources.
The Council would need approval from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) before they can go with the mass culling since western grey kangaroos are protected under the biodiversity act.
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