THOUSANDS of kangaroos in the Limestone could be potentially harvested next year following the State Government lifting the long-standing ban.
The state’s harvesting zone has been extended to the region amid an ongoing push by Grant District Council, high animal vehicle collision rates and damage to farming land.
The move will lift the ban on the commercial harvesting of the eastern grey kangaroo in the Limestone Coast.
According to figures released, the Lower South East has a estimated eastern grey population of more than 61,000, which equates to 5.37 kangaroos/ km2.
The government has set a 12pc harvesting quota, which means 7400 kangaroos will potentially be harvested across the region.
Primary Industries Minister Tim Whetstone said the updated South Australian Commercial Kangaroo Management Plan would have wide-ranging benefits.
“The change will support primary producers, local government and the commercial kangaroo industry to better manage overabundant kangaroos, and provide an opportunity to use kangaroos for meat or skin production that might otherwise only be culled and left on the ground,” Mr Whetstone said.
“While recent dry conditions have resulted in a natural decline of kangaroo numbers in the north of South Australia, populations remain high across most agricultural areas of the state.”
He said high kangaroo numbers placed pressure on the state’s agicultural industry, the environment, the quality of life of kangaroos.
The minister said kangaroos also posed a risk for motorists.
“Frequent surveys will be conducted to determine population estimates for each species in each region, to ensure quotas for a sustainable harvest are set,” Mr Whetstone said.
The annual kangaroo harvest quota for 2020 has also now been set based on data from recent kangaroo aerial and ground surveys.
Mr Whetstone said the population estimate for kangaroos in the commercial harvest area, including the new areas, is 3.6m, a decrease compared with the 2018 estimate of 4.4m.
“The 2020 commercial quota for all kangaroo species is 518,600 kangaroos across the entire expanded harvest zone, representing a 477pc increase on the number actually harvested in 2018,” he said.
“This quota is less than the 2019 quota of 730,200 and reflects the reduced population estimates as a result of the current dry conditions,” Mr Whetstone said.
Kangaroo Industry Association of Australia president Ray Borda said the industry congratulates the Marshall Government on this innovative decision to manage kangaroo numbers across the state.
“These changes to commercial kangaroo management are a step in the right direction to balance animal welfare and sustainability, particularly during drought conditions,” said Mr Borda.
Livestock SA chief executive officer Andrew Curtis said members had reported increased kangaroo numbers across many areas of the state for some time.
“The expansion of the commercial harvest zone will have positive outcomes for the environment and for the health of many kangaroo populations while allowing the effective management of roo numbers and mitigating the effects of high numbers on livestock production systems,” Mr Curtis said.
