THE KANGAROO.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 July 1923, Page 2

THE KANGAROO.

SYDNEY, July 4. Realising the danger of extinction which faces Australia’s strange and picturesque national animal, the Kangaroo, the Director of the Queensland Museum, Mr H. A. Longman, F.L.S., lias issued a timely appeal for steps to he taken to avert this calamity. These include the provision of fenced reserves. "The kangaroo,’' says Mr Longman, “is so closely associated with the history of Australia, and is of such special interest in the world of natural science that there is a possibility of its extermination in years to collie unless definite preventive l steps are taken. In southern coastal districts of Queensland the large kangaroos arc practi-_ callv a thing of the past. They are (loomed in all areas of fairly close settlement. The average Queenslander will go through life without seeing a kangaroo miles she visits the Zoological Gardens. However, there are 070,000 squar miles in the State, comprising a variety of environmental zones. It is pleasant to state that the Queensland Gavetnment has been most sympathet e to the appeals of nature lovers. The legislation emboded in the Animals and Birds Act, of 1921, stands as a record of advanced attitude. When the remarkable native hear appeared to ho in danger of extinction, this (pi lint animal was placed under total protection and the open, season forop.issmns was also restricted to two months. Kangaroos and wallabies, are so numerous as to he a great pest, and cultivation has to he strongly fenced, while on station properties, espreiiil'y in times of partial or severe drought, kangaroos are serious competitors with sheep, and the large indigenous animals, if numerous, may even menace the existence of flocks. . Apart from this view, it must also ho recognised that the marsupial skin industry is an important one, giving employment to a largo number of ‘scalpers.’ Xo definite figures are available as to the number of pelts coming annually to the Brisbane market, but in answer to an enquiry Messrs Mactaggart Bros., Ltd., have kindly made an approximating of tietween 300.000 and 400.000 skins; this number, however, includes in addition to the kangaroos, all descriptions of wallabies. Although these large and characteristic marsupials may he a nuisance in places, their complete extermination would he a disgrace to Australia, and it is suggested that certain areas in appropriate districts should be prth claimed as reserves.