Kangaroo shooting: The biggest land based wildlife massacre in the world

Few people are aware that Australia’s national icon has become the target of a brutal slaughter. Kangaroo shooting in Australia is widespread and fuelled by a commercial industry who reduces this iconic species to products like shoes and pet food.

The international trade in kangaroo skins for leather, and meat for pet food and human consumption, is not only unnecessary and inherently cruel, experts are warning that the relentless slaughter is placing increased pressure on kangaroo numbers, putting the future of this unique species at risk.

Hidden far from the eyes of the public, kangaroo shooting occurs in under the cover of darkness across the country each night with no independent oversight, making effective monitoring nearly impossible. Orphaned joeys are deemed ‘wastage’ to the industry as they have no commerical value, and are legally decapitated or swung forcibly against a towbar. Many are left to starve, are killed by exposure to weather extremes or are killed by predators without the care of their mum. Of the millions of native kangaroos who are shot and killed every year, independent research suggests that upwards of 40% are not killed instantly, leaving them to escape wounded to endure a long and painful death.

Legalised cruelty: Kangaroos are not protected from suffering

Both commercial and non commercial ‘codes’- the legal frameworks that govern kangaroo shooting-  do not protect animals from suffering- they facilitate it. 

Most caring people make the assumption that native animals are protected from harm in Australia. But tragically, federal and state governments allow their ‘protection’ to be lifted, so they can be legally killed for profit or under non commercial licenses at the request of land managers. Both codes stipulate that  joeys should be killed with blunt force trauma, decapitation or by shooting. This exposes joeys to extreme fear, suffering and distress on a massive scale. In 2025 alone, shooters self-reported that 22 136 joeys were killed by decapitation, bludgeoning or shooting in just one state. This is an unacceptably high number of animals who suffered as part of the commercial kangaroo shooting industry, and doesn’t account for joeys who were left in field to die.

Wildlife are already under threat

Bushfires in Australia have a devastating impact on animal populations and their habitats. Vets, wildlife carers, rescuers and emergency personnel work around the clock to save wildlife like kangaroos who survive the flames only to face months of laborious, intensive care.

To think that caring volunteers lovingly tend to survivors to get them healthy enough to return them to the wild, knowing that they could face brutal treatment and death at the hands of shooters — all in the name of profit — is not only heart-wrenching, but an insult to these dedicated wildlife carers.

Billions of native animals were lost and vast swathes of natural habitat were destroyed in the 2020 Australian megafires. Conflated with the ongoing threat of the climate crisis and Australia’s abysmal record of ecosystem destruction and species loss, Australia’s native animals need protection — not commercial slaughter, now more than ever.

What does the community think about this killing?

Killing kangaroos for profit is not supported by the broader community here or around the world. A national report released in 2023 indicated that two-thirds of Australians want other countries and commercial companies to stop trading in kangaroo products and think Australia should take a stance against the commercial killing of kangaroos. Around the world, companies are cutting ties with this cruel wildlife trade as pressure from compassionate consumers grows. Global sporting brands like Nike and Adidas have joined the growing list of corporates who are ditching kangaroo skin from their products.

There are a number of ways to help kangaroos — being empowered to change how these animals are treated starts with being informed.

1. You can learn more about the issue of kangaroo shooting here, or by streaming the acclaimed documentary “Kangaroo: a love hate story”.
2. Pledge to never buy kangaroo meat or other products
3. If you live in Victoria, your voice is currently especially powerful in the lead-up to the state election! Speak up here to call for Victorian kangaroos and their joeys to be protected.
4. Add your voice to calls for an end to the commercial slaughter of kangaroos Australia-wide.
5. Contact Australia’s major supermarkets Coles & Woolworths (via feedback form) and ask them to stop supporting the cruel kangaroo killing industry
6. Donate today to support our global public awareness campaigns and political lobbying to protect kangaroos and their joeys.