Kangaroo pet food trial: one million animals killed, and fraud and bribery alleged

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Kangaroo pet food trial: one million animals killed, and fraud and bribery alleged

13 March 2019
News
Departmental report says shooters bribed landholders and farmers provided false information

A kangaroo pet food trial in Victoria found shooters were driven to slaughter more animals for profit and the program was beset by fraud and bribery offences, according to a state government report.

Since the trial began in 2014, there has been a 250% increase in the number of kangaroos killed in Victoria. One million died under the program.

The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning report was released under freedom of information to the Australian Society for Kangaroos.

Shooters were killing more kangaroos to maximise profits and were favouring male carcasses over females because the large size meant extra money, the report said.

“Current design and compliance arrangements are insufficient to manage the risks associated with the trial,” the report said.