Commercialising wildlife

There is an increasing drive to make profit from native animals, as if they were coal or oil that could be dug out of the ground and sold. But there is a major difference between coal and a kangaroo, for example. The kangaroo has feelings and can enjoy its life, as we can. It is not an object like a lump of coal, and therefore should not be treated as a "resource".

The Japanese regard whales and dolphins as "resources" to be "harvested" and used for meat and oil. Most of the rest of the world now condemns them for this attitude. However, western countries like Australia are hypocrites if they then treat their land-based wildlife as nothing more than objects to be "harvested".

Peter Singer, professor of philosophy at Monash University, has focussed on the central questions in this debate:
" The fundamental problem is one of attitude: is this planet and all its non-human inhabitants to be regarded as the rightful possession of those humans who presently live on it? Can it be ethically acceptable that forests that have existed for thousands of years and are home to creatures of many kinds should be felled to raise the living of one generation of human beings? Are sentient creatures, whether rare or plentiful, a resource for us to use as best suits us? Or do they have interests of their own, that we should respect? "

To read the rest of Professor Singer's article, go to The ethics of commercialising wild animals.

Animals being exploited

Kangaroo slaughter

The largest number of animals killed for profit are kangaroos. In 1999 almost 5.7 million were allowed to be shot for meat and skins. This figure doesn't include:

Not all kangaroos are killed instantly - about 15% suffer the pain of wounding. There is the further question of whether all pouch joeys are killed instantly, and whether joeys only just out of the pouch will be able to survive without their mothers.

For more detail see: Kangaroo slaughter

Brushtail possum slaughter

In Tasmania, possums are cage-trapped from the wild, transported to slaughterhouses and killed. Carcases are exported head off/skin on for restaurants in Asia to prepare "crispy skin" style possum.

The possums are supposed to be stunned by captive bolt pistol and then to be killed by having their throats cut while unconscious. However, some possums regain consciousness before their throat is cut. Joeys are killed by having their head bashed against a hard object. All this to provide a new taste sensation for Asian gourmets.

For more detail: Brushtail possum slaughter

Emu farming and slaughter

The first emus were captured from the wild and confined to pens. No doubt this was a terrifying experience for these wild birds. Further birds were bred from this original breeding stock.

Emus are slaughtered for oil, leather, feathers, and meat for the gourmet market. Special emu slaughterhouses were set up, even though no-one is yet sure how to humanely slaughter large numbers of these big birds. Also, about 5% die during transport to slaughter because of stress.

The toes of emu chicks are partly cut off so that they don't scratch each other and damage the leather. Obviously this is very painful.

The emu industry is now collapsing because there are not enough markets for their products. Some birds have been killed for pet food and fertiliser. There are fears that some may just be set free and unable to fend for themselves in the wild.

For more detail: Emu farming and slaughter

Crocodile farming and slaughter

Until 1986, crocodiles were completely protected because of their low numbers. After that time they could be farmed, and after 1994 even products from wild crocodiles could again be traded.

There are 17 farms with a total of about 50,000 crocodiles in northern Australia. In Queensland all eggs are produced by breeding animals on farms, whereas in Western Australia and the Northern Territory eggs and young animals are also taken from the wild.

Young crocodiles are kept in very crowded pens until they are 3 years old. They are then slaughtered, mainly for their skins, but also for meat. Some slaughter methods are very cruel. For example, when the spinal cord is hacked in two, animals remain conscious for almost 2 hours. During this time they must feel terrible pain. It is more humane to destroy the brain with a firearm or captive bolt pistol.

For more detail: Crocodile farming and slaughter

Captive birds

Native birds such as cockatoos, corellas and galahs are captured from the wild for the local pet trade. It is cruel to keep any bird in a cage, especially one from the wild. Birds need to be able to fly, and they need the company of others of their species. These large native birds can develop abnormal behaviour as a result of frustration and boredom, including pulling out feathers, rocking from side to side, screeching and becoming aggressive.

Export of wild birds is illegal, but smuggling does go on. Many birds die in this illegal trade. However, even in countries where trade in birds is legal, many arrive dead. People should enjoy birds in parks, gardens and the bush, not in cages.

For more detail: Captive birds

Mutton bird slaughter

The short-tailed shearwater, or mutton bird, migrates to Tasmania each year to breed in burrows in the ground. Just before the chicks are ready to leave, people pull them from their burrows and break their necks.

There is a 5 week commercial season for killing mutton birds, and a 2 week recreational season, when anyone, including children, can go out and kill chicks. Almost certainly some of these people will not know how to break a neck quickly, and the chicks will suffer. More than a million chicks are killed each year.

There is no reason why this annual killing spree should be allowed to continue.

For more detail: Mutton bird slaughter