Bushfires have destroyed over a third of Australia’s beautiful Gariwerd (Grampians) National Park. The staggering scale of destruction is so large, it’s comparable to the land size of Singapore.

This pristine habitat was home to a unique and diverse range of native Australian species, including kangaroos.

And while the region battled dangerous conditions and a terrifying growing fire front, the Victorian Government in Australia quietly released their kill quotas for commercial kangaroo shooters in the very same area. 23,000 kangaroos in this fire zone could be killed by the commercial industry that supplies global retailers like ADIDAS.

Just days after the fires were contained, rescuers found a tiny, scared joey with burns on his feet so severe that he could hardly hop. He was quickly captured and taken to a wildlife carer who, with the help of a vet, treated his injuries and relieved his pain.

Alone, scared and burnt. Gary the kangaroo joey was saved just in time, days after fires ravaged his home and killed his mum. But the Victorian Government in Australia is still allowing shooters to kill survivors like him for profit.

He’s in safe hands for now, but after months of intensive rehabilitation, his first moments of freedom back in the bush could be his last, if he’s found by commercial kangaroo shooters.

It will take many months for kangaroos and other wildlife who have survived these fires to recover. Many have lost their families, are battling burns, and could face starvation. The last thing they need is to compete with shooters who will stalk them under the cover of darkness.

While the rest of the caring global community rally to help animals in the aftermath of fires, companies like Adidas will instead be condemning survivors to be killed.

Joeys like Gary deserve a safe future, where they can return to the wild without the constant threat of commercial shooters around each corner. But while corporations like ADIDAS continue to fuel the cruel global wildlife trade, they will always be at risk.

The Australian Federal Government allows for millions of kangaroos to be commercially slaughtered. The legal protections that usually apply to native wildlife are lifted in five Australian states (Queensland, New South Wales (NSW), Victoria (VIC), Western Australia, and South Australia) so that kangaroos can be shot under commercial licences – for the sake of profit.

Even after the devastating Black Summer summer fires ravaged much of the country in 2019-20, the Australian Federal Government continued to permit the killing of millions of these iconic animals.

There is a ‘National Code of Practice’ that is meant to apply to kangaroo slaughter, but it is impossible to effectively enforce given shooting occurs in remote areas at nighttime. This code also specifically allows for the decapitation and bludgeoning of joeys, which most people would consider far from humane.

Most people worldwide are unaware of how kangaroos are treated every night across Australia because of profit-driven industries. But protecting these precious native animals is undoubtedly of great importance to caring people everywhere, as demonstrated by the outpour of donations and support during the Black Summer bushfires.

To ensure kangaroos continue to be a part of beautiful Australia, they need our help not only in times of disaster, but also right now to speak out against the atrocities they face every single night.

The Australian commercial kangaroo shooting is under increasing scrutiny as consumers learn how kangaroos and their joeys are killed, and caring people worldwide are uniting to urge ADIDAS to stop shooting protected wildlife to make their shoes. Can you please help too, by sending a letter to Adidas?