ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES ASSIGNMENT
The documentary “Kangaroo Mob” exemplifies the problematic behaviour of Canberra’s Eastern Grey Kangaroos whilst acknowledging the fundamental concerns of eradicating the species to reduce numbers to sustainable levels. Amidst the controversy that has aroused strong perceptions and evoked confrontations; there are ethical concerns. Due to the drought the food supply has diminished and subsequently the Eastern grey kangaroos have encroached neighbouring communities in search of a reliable source of sustenance. This in turn has instigated issues as culling of Eastern Grey Kangaroos frequently occurs in the Canberra Nature Park.
The killing of the kangaroos is ethically ambiguous. Research conducted in the ACT established that the preservation of endangered and threatened species and ecosystems are compromised due to the overgrazing by kangaroos. Animal rights activists argue that the killing raises more ethical concerns; concerns for the environment, animal wellbeing, social justice and Indigenous rights. The Australian Alliance for Native Animal Survival has indicated that Indigenous elders have expressed concern about non-commercial and commercial killing.
Native animals are rarely environmentally problematic in their natural habitat unless they have ventured to a place with an altered environment or one that does not occur naturally. In such cases native animals may be considered pests depending on conflict with human interests. It is debateable whether kangaroos fit the category. Managing native pests is complex due to public concerns; controlling the native wildlife whilst also taking into account conservation. Non-lethal techniques and management of the damage caused is the ideal strategy.
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... Senate Select Committee on Animal Welfare stater that ‘to some extent, cruelty to kangaroos has become institutionalised through the system of kangaroo management.’ This is based upon the fact that the shooting often occurs in remote locations in the dark and therefore is not scrutinised.
It is evident that the issue of kangaroo culling is perplexing as there is an apparent issue that has solutions that are ethically arguable. Based on the information I have gathered I convinced that despite my ethical concerns of culling it is necessary. A non-lethal technique is ideal and I am optimistic that the future holds a favourable alternative.
Works Cited
https://www.dfat.gov.au/facts/kangaroos.html http://thinkkangaroos.uts.edu.au/issues/welfare-and-enforcement http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/rattenburys-push-to-relocate-roos-over-culling-20130816-2s0xv.html
Colin McDonald, a Darwin barrister and expert in customary law, says that on such issues Australia's legal system may simply have to bite the bullet and go against the norms of international human rights.
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Overall, as in the past, the argument towards animal experimentation remains unresolved. Animal right protesters continue to fight for the rights of animals, while, scientists continue to justify their actions for the purpose of saving lives.
The Australian Animal Justice Party (also known as AJP) is a political party in Australia that represents the animal rights perception in the political field. The AJP was in fact the first initial party to come forward and raise awareness of the animal right issues in Australia and are highly against the export of any live animals for profit, especially slaughter. The party’s mission is "To promote and protect the interests and abilities of animals by providing a dedicated voice for them in Australia’s political system.”
We as Australians are completely unaware of all the suffering, sorrow and sadness we’ve placed upon the Aboriginal people since we set foot on their land. We’ve killed them in cold blood as we’ve had several disagreements with the Aboriginal people. Evidence even shows that all Tasmanian Aboriginals were killed and become completely extinct. We’ve given them diseases which they never used to contract and have wiped out the majority of their people and we even took Aboriginal children away from their own biological parents. The idea behind this was so they would then breed with other Australians which would rid of their full-tribal blood, making them become extinct. Thes...
...rial covered in the unit Aboriginal People that I have been studying at the University of Notre Dame Fremantle, Aboriginal people have had a long history of being subjected to dispossession and discriminatory acts that has been keep quite for too long. By standing together we are far more likely to achieve long lasting positive outcomes and a better future for all Australians.
A species in particular that I have researched is the red fox or Vulpes vulpes as it is known in the scientific community. The animal is native to North America, Asia and Europe where they thrive in habitats ranging from temperate deserts to boreal forests, but its range spans the entire globe (Tesky 1995). The red fox is omnivorous which means that it feeds on animals and plants equally, which, creates impacts on both types of populations within its habitat. What makes the red fox invasive is its introduction to Australia and Eastern parts of the United States, as a result of migration of Europeans t...
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Since the time of federation the Aboriginal people have been fighting for their rights through protests, strikes and the notorious ‘day of mourning’. However, over the last century the Australian federal government has generated policies which manage and restrained that of the Aboriginal people’s rights, citizenships and general protection. The Australian government policy that has had the most significant impact on indigenous Australians is the assimilation policy. The reasons behind this include the influences that the stolen generation has had on the indigenous Australians, their relegated rights and their entitlement to vote and the impact that the policy has had on the indigenous people of Australia.
Every year, over 100 million animals are killed for experimentation, biology lessons, medical/military training, and cosmetic, drug, and chemical testing. Animals are tortured all over the world and still lack lawful protection.
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"For Endangered Wildlife, This Indonesian Zoo Can Be Akin to a Death Sentence." GlobalPost. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2014.
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