Mongabay · Climate & nature

Australia's Kangaroo Population Surge Prompts Record Cull and Debate on Control Methods

Kangaroo numbers in Australia are at an all-time high, leading to a record cull in the ACT and renewed calls for alternative population control strategies.

Australia's kangaroo population, estimated between 30 and 50 million, is booming due to land clearing and few predators. This abundance raises concerns about overgrazing and biodiversity loss.

The ACT recently conducted its largest cull, killing over 3,500 eastern grey kangaroos to protect endangered native grasslands from overgrazing.

Scientists cite land clearing, reduced Indigenous hunting, and lack of predators for the surge. Overgrazing impacts plants, birds, reptiles, and invertebrates.

While some conservationists support culling, animal welfare groups argue kangaroos are scapegoats and highlight the culling of joeys.

Alternative methods like reforestation and reintroducing dingoes are proposed. Reforestation faces challenges due to land use and abundant kangaroos.

Reintroducing dingoes is complex, potentially creating conflict with livestock and humans. Kangaroos may also be too numerous for dingoes alone.

Other suggestions include fertility control, with limited success, and harvesting kangaroos for human consumption as a sustainable alternative.

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