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Tuesday 9 February 2021
5974 9000 or email: team@mpnews.com.au www.mpnews.com.au
Picture: Gary Sissons
Fight to save peninsula’s kangaroos Keith Platt keith@mpnews.com.au ENVIRONMENTALISTS, animal protection groups and landowners are concerned that kangaroos may become extinct on the Mornington Peninsula. There are no reliable statistics of kangaroo numbers on the peninsula, but estimates range from 1500 to 3500. Fears for their survival have grown since the state government announced it would lift the number of kangaroos that can be killed each year, along with allowing them to be “harvested” and
sold for human consumption. Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors were this week asked to seek a ban on killing kangaroos on the peninsula “until scientific research is undertaken justifying the need for this practice and determining the long-term ramifications on our kangaroo population”. The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) says surveys in October 2020 showed that at a “conservative estimate” there are about 1.9 million kangaroos in Victoria, “up almost 40 per cent compared to 2018”.
However, the department will only release the number of kangaroos allowed to be killed on the peninsula - included in the Gippsland “harvest” zone - through a FOI request. Cr David Gill said most of the information about kangaroos “is misleading and based on further developing the human consumption industry”. “Our kangaroos are no more pests than koalas; kangaroos eat different grasses to sheep and cattle and do little damage to farm land” “Governments and some large property owners believe that shooting
kangaroos is OK. However, many are wounded and joeys are often left to die of starvation”. Australia has a dubious distinction of being one of 29 countries of the 195 recognised by the United Nations that eats animals from their national emblem. They are used to lure tourists, brand industries, products and football teams. Most of the peninsula’s kangaroos live on public and private land around Greens Bush (near Boneo), Cape Schanck, Devilbend, Merricks, Dromana and Arthurs Seat. The state government has been ac-
cused of using inflated and “deliberately falsified” numbers to justify lifting the number of kangaroos that can be killed and used for per food or human consumption. The DELWP provides farm managers with details of how to get their kangaroos “harvested” for free. Chris McEvoy, whose family runs wedding receptions and grows grapevines on more than 40 hectares at Merricks North, says many Australians mistakenly believe kangaroos “are in plague proportions” and are pests. Continued Page 10
Make someday today. Demonstrator offers. Limited days.
Take advantage of exceptional offers on a wide range of Mercedes-Benz Demonstrators during Mercedays. With 3 years complimentary scheduled servicing^ and a $1,000 contribution from Mercedes-Benz Financial Services* – why wait? Visit Mercedes-Benz Mornington today. Ends February 28. Whilst stocks last. ^Offer available from participating Retailers, limited to stock available at time of purchase. Excludes new and pre-owned vehicles, EQC model, leasing products, fleet, government, corporate and rental buyers. Applies to vehicles ordered and delivered between 1 January and 28 February 2021, unless offer is extended by Mercedes-Benz. Whilst stocks last. Scheduled servicing is complimentary for up to 3 years or the relevant mileage-based servicing interval applicable to your model, whichever occurs first, in accordance with the applicable Mercedes-Benz Service Plan. For further information (including vehicle eligibility, mileage and Service Plan conditions) please contact your retailer or visit www.mercedes-benz. com.au/servicesolutions. *Offer is subject to the customer entering into a finance contract (minimum 36-month term and $30,000 financed) with Mercedes-Benz Financial Services (excluding Simplicity, operating and finance leases). Restricted to approved customers (excluding fleet, government or rental and corporate buyers) of Mercedes-Benz Financial Services Australia Pty Ltd ABN 73 074 134 517, Australian Credit Licence 247271, and subject to standard credit assessment, lending criteria and fees.
Mercedes-Benz Mornington 29-Mornington-Tyabb Rd (03) 5923 0011 LMCT443 mbmornington.com.au