Call for Australians to voice their opinion in the National Kangaroo Survey

The kangaroo may be an Australian icon which unites the country in sporting battle, however when it comes to managing it’s population there appears to be as many views as there are roos and this is making their effective management difficult.

A unique study has been launched to survey Australian views of their most famous national animal with the results used to help shape future management plans for kangaroos.

PhD candidate, Pip Chalk from the University of Western Sydney’s School of Natural Sciences has created the online kangaroo survey as part of a study into the ‘human dimensions’ of roos.

Unlike many official reviews of kangaroo management plans which mostly attract interest from those with the strongest views and closest connection to kangaroo management, this internet based kangaroo survey is designed to capture the widest diversity of Australian views and voices.

“The relationship between the Australian people and the kangaroo has traditionally been complex and is an on-going challenge for agencies charged with managing wildlife, ecosystems and agricultural land,” says Ms Chalk.

She says better capturing of community views and greater communication between stakeholders could take the heat out of the kangaroo debate.

“Kangaroos polarise opinions and this makes them very difficult to successfully manage.”

“A kangaroo bounding across the Australian landscape can inpire awe, but for people who are adversely affected by its adaptability and prolific breeding it can represent a threat to the local environment. For some, the roo is a natural resource to be harvested and under the law it’s a native Australian animal that is protected.”

In the kangaroo survey, participants are asked how the kangaroo makes them feel, what the animal means to the nation, their views on protection, culling and harvesting roos as a resource for food and other products.

The survey even includes a question series that has become as iconic as the animal itself, ‘Skippy the Bush Kangaroo’.

“Despite the place of the kangaroo in the Australian folklore and contemporary society, there is surprisingly little research into the attitudes and perceptions of Australians towards the animal. However, there is a growing international trend to collect data on community views of wild animals and use this to defuse tension between interest groups and help shape management plans which are more effective for the community and environment as a whole.”

To participate in the survey visit: http://www.kangaroosurvey.com

Google search: Kangaroosurvey (one word)

Who can take part?

As a public opinion survey you don’t have to be knowledgeable about kangaroos as the questions cover general topics relating to them. It will only take about 10 mins to complete. The survey is open to ALL Australian citizens and residents over the age of 18.

To complete the survey go to www.kangaroosurvey.com

Background Information

  • The four most common kangaroo species are: The Red Kangaroo (Macropus Rufus), The Eastern Grey Kangaroo (Macropus Giganteus), The Western Grey Kangaroo (Macropus Fuliginosus) and The Wallaroo (also known as the Euro)(Macropus Robustus)
  • The Red, Eastern Grey, Western Grey and Wallaroo are approved for commercial harvesting due to their high populations
  • Within the commercial harvest areas the estimated 2009 Kangaroo populations were:
  1. The Red: 9,396,985
  2. The Eastern: 11,623,924
  3. The Western: 2,033,719
  4. The Wallaroo: 2,985,695

Total: 27,040,323
Source: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/trade-use/wild-harvest/kangaroo/population/index.html

  • The annual cull of the commercially harvested kangaroos species is set at about 15% of the population
  • 90% of the annual commercial harvest comprise Red, Eastern Grey and Western Grey Kangaroos
  • Kangaroo skin and meat is used domestically and exported to more than 55 countries

Source: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/trade-use/publications/kangaroo/quotas-background.html

  • A kangaroo is prominently feature on the Australian Coat of Arms
  • The television series ‘Skippy the Bush Kangaroo’ first aired in Australia in 1966

University of Western Sydney Media Release