Macropods are important and treasured Australian animals. Several kangaroo species have increased due to land changes since European settlement, and overabundant populations require management to conserve biodiversity, production, and to protect human safety and property. Management is also necessary to avoid boom-bust cycles which have extremely poor animal welfare outcomes with mass starvation events and road trauma. Current management practices, however, can also result in animal welfare, conservation and waste issues. A National Statement: Improving Kangaroo Management was developed from the symposia of two 2019 conferences, supported by a special edition of Ecological Management & Restoration : Optimum management of overabundant macropods (Read et al. 2021b). The key recommendation was for a National Kangaroo Taskforce to work with stakeholders to develop a National Kangaroo Strategy which will improve animal welfare, human safety, sustainability and reduce waste. This research project, commencing March 2025, will expand on recommendations outlined in the National Statement to develop the case for a National Kangaroo Strategy. It will include consultation and engagement to integrate Indigenous, animal welfare, industry and conservation stakeholder priorities, set unified objectives, along with analysis of population dynamics, identification of appropriate foraging densities, steps to prevent extreme population cycles, non-lethal management options where appropriate, ethical standards to be maintained and included in a single National Code of Practice, opportunities to better integrate kangaroos into rangeland production systems, and recommendations to overcome barriers associated with regulatory limitations, lack of unified practices, and resource constraints.
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