ACT Government response to:
Animal welfare and procedure compliance for non-commercial
kangaroo shooting: Australian Capital Territory, 2015 (the Report).
In 2015 the ACT Government engaged an experienced independent veterinarian to undertake an audit of the ACT Government conservation cull of eastern grey kangaroos (kangaroos). All regulated kangaroo shooting in the ACT is to be conducted in accordance with the National code of practice for the humane shooting of kangaroos and wallabies for non-commercial purposes (Code of Practice). The purpose of the audit was to observe the shooters and record adherence to the standards outlined in the Code of Practice.
The ACT Government is continually reviewing practices and procedures in relation to kangaroo culling to ensure the best possible animal welfare outcomes. The Report demonstrates the highly professional approach of the ACT Government to delivering the kangaroo conservation cull. The ACT Government has chosen to release the Report to demonstrate transparency associated with the kangaroo conservation cull and highlight the positive animal welfare outcomes for a shooting program.
The Report highlights:
- 98% of shot animals were observed to be killed instantly from the first shot.
- The percentage of kangaroos rendered immediately insensible (killed instantly) was higher than for any other published studies of night shooting.
- No kangaroos were observed to be non-fatally wounded.
- As specified in the Code of Practice, all young-at-foot that were obviously paired with an adult kangaroo were shot to avoid dispersal. No young kangaroos were left ‘orphaned’.
- All pouch young were euthanased in accordance with the Code of Practice
The Report identified areas for further review, making the following two recommendations:
- Improved search methods for shot animals, that are compatible with the operating environment, should be developed; and
- Field practices should be reviewed for the euthanasia of furred pouch young.
Report recommendation | Response |
Recommendation 1 Improved search methods for locating all shot animals, that are compatible with the operating environment, should be developed. | Agreed: The ACT Government has procedures for recording and managing all carcasses. Every effort is made to minimise the chance of not being able to locate carcasses. In keeping with the recommendations of the Report, the ACT Government will explore search methods to minimise the incidence of not being able to locate carcasses. Of the reported carcasses not located during observations, the veterinarian observed the animals to be killed instantly. The ACT Government later accounted for all carcasses and inspections confirmed the veterinarian’s observation that these animals were shot in accordance with the Code of Practice. |
Recommendation 2 Field practices should be reviewed for the euthanasia of furred pouch young. | Agreed in principle: PCS will undertake a review of field practices and develop operational guidelines for pragmatic application of euthanasia methods of furred pouch young, in field conditions. PCS will consult with suitably experienced professionals to determine if the technique of euthanasing furred pouch young can be improved. Consultation will include veterinarians, ecologists, wildlife staff, professional shooters and accredited trainers. The review will include selection of a suitable tool for implementing the most effective blunt force trauma of furred pouch young. The Review will be completed by March 2016. It should be noted:
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