Running Down Roos

Details: Published on Friday, 15 June 2012 00:00

Kangaroos At Risk

A disturbing new report questioning the actual numbers of Eastern Grey Kangaroos in the wild has been seen by rw.com.

Kangaroos are being culled in what some might term unusual circumstances. Why would the NSW Government through NPWS be involved in these goings on? This youtube video is the reason. WARNING: It will disturb! Mount Panorama is the home of cashed-up sport, the "great race", and roos get in the way.

The report can be found on the website kangaroosatrisk.net. This site calls for all large macropods to be listed as threatened species in NSW. Of particular interest on this website is a Case Study which questions the official figures of Eastern Grey Kangaroo numbers around the Bathurst region. It also delves into the Kangaroo Cull completed before the “Great Car Race” in 2009. This is of further interest to rw.com in light of the practices employed by WIRES Central West Branch in its management of Eastern Grey Kangaroos, and the involvement of its Chair.

This report raises many questions:

How are Kangaroo numbers estimated, and are these accurate figures?
What are the actual numbers of Eastern Grey Kangaroos in the Bathurst region?
Has there been contravention of the aims of conservation sustainability by NPWS?
Has there been contravention of the Kangaroo Harvest Management Plan?
What involvement did NPWS have in recommending the preferential targeting of breeding female Kangaroos when best practice calls for a 70% male bias?
Why was the welfare of "at-foot" joeys not taken into account?
Why was an environmental report for Council not prepared by a qualified independent person?
Is it standard practice, or even legitimate, to hire a pest controller to assess the numbers of kangaroos he is required to kill as part of hiring him to kill them?
Why was a community consultation process not undertaken before the cull?

It is also well known that around this time, the Central West branch of WIRES had a policy of euthanizing ALL Eastern Grey Kangaroo joeys that came into its care - regardless of their condition, health or injuries. This controversial policy continues to this day.

In light of the questions raised above, and the uncertain numbers of viable roos left in the area, is this the best "care for wildlife" WIRES can offer in the Bathurst region? Will WIRES finally stop its unpopular and, some say, brutal approach to managing an already persecuted population of wildlife?

Background articles:

Western Advocate - 9 February 2011

Western Advocate - 11 May 2011

Comments

# Flash — Flash30aus 2014-02-25 14:00

I am an active member of the CW Branch and I know for a fact that NO joey's (EGK or otherwise)are euthanised routinely. All animals are evaluated and decisions made individually. WIRES is only as good as the Board and individuals who run it. I can see the frustration folks have towards some of the practices, but its very easy to throw stones. Much harder to try and get on board and make change.

# RE: Flash — Stingray 2014-03-11 13:44

Well that's good to know. One of the problems with the Board is that very few of them actually care for animals and appear with their decisions to have no empathy for volunteers doing the caring nor for the animals. Is Jim Watt or Susan Wakefield still on the BMC?

# RE: Flash — Its time 2014-04-29 12:53

Perhaps you meant to write - it is much harder to get on the Board and make change.

# RE: Running Down Roos — CWB 2013-10-17 15:21

CW Branch does not now routinely euth EGK's, each animal is judged on its condition and likely health outcome.

EGK's are widely populated in the Bathurst and surrounding region with numbers increasing as farming lands increase and grazing is good. They are certainly not rare animals and in some areas can be overpopulated.

Release sites are a major issue with young roos needing areas to be released in relative safety and low population levels.

A roo was recently struck at the Bathurst 1000 (2013) despite the local council installing high fences. Which I personally think its the least they can do. The race generates about $20mil over 1 weekend.

# RE: Running Down Roos — guest 2013-10-17 19:42

Hi CWB. That sounds good but how is it that Jim Watt is still the chair and council rep when he was responsible for the killing of EG joeys in the past.

# RE: Running Down Roos — Kangaroos rules 2013-10-17 20:30

I was wondering what they did with the Bathurst Kangaroos this year as I did not hear about any culling. Good for them it shows that you can have an event without killing the resident wildlife.

# Kangaroos are Dangeroos — Confussion 2012-06-29 10:45

Maybe I am stupid! They never send out newsletters stating they approve of the destruction of some Kangaroos. Yet they ask for donations to save all wildlife?

# RE: Running Down Roos — Magnum P.I. 2012-06-28 20:01

NPWS will do nothing about WIRES killing kangaroos; after all that is what NPWS does too. The government needs the shooters' votes and loves big events like car races, so won't let anything stand in the way. Wasn't it Keating who said something like "don't get between a Premier and a large wad of cash" as you might get run over? WIRES is there to transfer government's expenses of licencing and compliance on to the public, so government doesn't care whether its done right or done at all. So long as they are not the mug paying for it or accountable in any way they don't give a shit what happens. This is all quite disgusting.
The laughable thing is that WIRES is full of these concerned animal activists who condemn government for its attitude, but also defend WIRES at all costs as a paragon of virtue. Hello? WIRES is the government's bitch and you are making excuses for this convenience.

# RE: Running Down Roos — guest 2012-06-30 11:08

The end result Confussion and Magnum is that kangaroos get killed and the govt and wires which you think would be protecting them are complicit. Groups like RSPCA, Animals Australia and voiceless have no other agenda than to save the lives of animals and are independent voices as they do not have the strings attached to the govt as WIRES does.

# RE: Running Down Roos — White ant 2012-06-28 18:30

Central West were investigated by by NPWS and had 6 months to get their act together. Anyone know what the outcome was?

# RE: Running Down Roos — margaret 2012-07-18 18:06

Jim Watt was the Chair of central west branch when the directive was given to euthanase eastern grey joeys Obviously no disciplinary action was taken against him as he remains the Chair and Council rep. The reason for this is believed to be his close association with the secretary and other board members he was previously a board member.

# RE: Running Down Roos — smurfette 2012-07-19 10:37

Sounds a lot like WIRES MNC Branch They too LIKE to Euthanase EG Joeys and also have close relationships with board members and secretary.
Maybe they should all put in to have a larger bed made and they can all sleep together.

# RE: Running Down Roos — guest 2012-07-19 13:40

That bed was purchased years ago, in a store at Coffs Harbour.

# RE: Running Down Roos — Spartacus 2012-07-19 14:35

I hope they got it scotchgarded!

# RE: Running Down Roos — pee wee 2012-07-19 16:58

Actually a member from MNC is on the present Board. The ex Chair of the Board, GM of WIRES and WIRES rep on the Willdife Council also came from MNC.

# Running down roos — Its time 2012-09-01 15:51

I seem to recall that Jim had also applied for a licence to cull roos on his own property....

# RE: Running down roos — Skippy 2012-09-04 20:39

Honestly I don't why Jim is a member of WIRES when all he appears to do is cull and euthanaise. Maybe he should have joined the shooters party!

# Running down roos — meal worm 2012-06-25 11:57

Does Central West still use the policy of euthanissing all EGK? They also use to do it with raptors as well?

Surley this would not be endosed by WIRES Inc.

# RE: Running down roos — guest 2012-07-07 17:46

Where did you find the information on raptors meal worm?

# yes — magpie 2012-07-23 10:36

Yes they do.

# Running down roos — grasshopper 2012-06-25 11:53

Whenever there is a money to be made from wildlife or their habitat the welfare of the animals becomes secondary.

# RE: Running Down Roos — yellowtail 2012-06-24 17:59

The state government should be asked to explain how it can be possible for the same govt dept to be responsible for safeguarding wildlife while at the same time issuing licenses to harm , ie kill, like these roo culls. WIRES management doesnot know the meaning of conflict of interest and nor does the govt.

Refresh comments list

Add comment

TO MAINTAIN YOUR ANONYMITY YOUR IP ADDRESS AND YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS ARE NOT STORED ON THE WEBSITE'S DATABASE! They are deleted immediately.

SUBSCRIBE TO UPDATES - This option has been deleted due to abuse. You now have no reason to leave an email address so that option is gone too.

Nav view search

Navigation

Search