Australia: Increasing kangaroo numbers will allow additional meat to become available for human consumption

A big jump in the kangaroo population has seen a major change to Victoria's annual culling program. Victoria now believes there are almost two million kangaroos across the state which has led to a 39 per cent lift in "harvesting" quotas. But the big change for Victoria is the state will allow the extra meat to be made available for human consumption - not just for pet food as has been the case. The Victorian government says it will "look for opportunities" to export the roo skins as well. Victoria's 2020 kangaroo survey estimates the current kangaroo population at almost two million - up almost 40 per cent in two years. "Over-abundant populations compete with livestock for stock and feed, and damage crops and fences," the government says. Victoria's Kangaroo Harvesting Program quota in 2021 is 95,680 kangaroos - a rise of 37,780 from last year. "Kangaroo meat is an environmentally friendly protein - the animals have less impact on land and they are a low-emissions meat source," a ...