The purpose of this update is to check to see what actually happened in 2023. From the actual information we now have, the full year estimates made by the Nature Knowledge Channel were very accurate with the difference to date being that 1,359 more Kangaroos were killed in 2023 than we had forecast.

Points to note: The actuals show the percentage of females killed for commercial gain was down in those states that had reported actuals at the time of writing and in the range of 20 to 25 per cent depending, on species. Carcass weight and costs were probably the drivers in lowering demand for females.

Queensland

Actual number killed in 2023 was 597,750 against Nature Knowledge Channel’s full year forecast of 607,000, just 27 per cent of quota against our forecast of 28 per cent.

The commercial exploitation of Kangaroos in Queensland is predominantly for meat products used for pet food. The majority of Kangaroo skins utilised for leather and fur products are sourced from meat processors. In 2023, no Kangaroos were reported as exploited commercially for their skins only.

From their own government data Kangaroo populations in Queensland had declined from 37,574,300 in 2001 to 12,959,400 in 2021, yet the Queensland Government says the same thing every year:  

“Whilst no consistent declines have been observed, the Kangaroo populations in Queensland have fluctuated over time”.

Points to note: Beginning in 2023 the environment department began a collaborative research project with Deakin University to investigate lead alternative projectiles for use by the macropod industry. Lead is a toxic and persistent heavy metal that can be particularly hazardous to scavenging animals. Awareness of this issue is increasing across Australia with the use of lead projectiles for harvesting meat for human consumption and pest control is now a global issue.

New South Wales

Actual number killed in 2023 was 509,671 against Nature Knowledge Channel’s full year forecast of 498,000, just 27 per cent of quota as forecast.

Points to note: The 2023 commercial kill was higher than that reported for the previous year, in absolute terms. The total number of Kangaroos killed for commercial gain in 2022 was 402,719, 24 per cent of the 2022 quota. The increased kill in 2023 is attributed to improved access to properties. Demand for Kangaroos was also variable throughout the year, with a range of factors affecting the Kangaroo meat 'industry' – limited cold storage space, high cost of energy (impacting processing costs), high cost of fuel (impacting transport costs), and reduced export demand. The greenhouse costs of this toxic trade in the state are also very high.

Western Australia

Actual number killed in 2023 was 81,938 against Nature Knowledge Channel’s full year forecast of 83,000, just 25 per cent of quota as forecast.

Points to note: Western Australia experienced a notably hot, dry year in 2023 with many areas across the Kangaroo population management zones (PMZs) recording their driest year on record.

South Australia and Victoria

The last two states to report their 2023 actual take - in South Australia the actual take was 100,594, this was lower than our full year forecast of 104,609 and just 17.4 per cent of quota.

For Victoria, our estimate for the commercial take of Kangaroos in Victoria in 2023 was 79,000, which was 47 per cent of quota. The actual was 72,232, that is 43 per cent of the commercial quota of 166,750.

“Participants requested improved transparency in reporting processes”. Victorian Government consultation Kangaroo Harvest Management Plan (KHMP) 2021-2023

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