Kangaroo

Photographer unknown, "Giant Kangaroo," picture found in online article: Managh, Carolyn. "Stalked by a Giant Kangaroo," Tweed Tea and Wellies, last modified 17 June 2011, accessed 1 Nov. 2012, http://www.tweedteaandwellies.com/stalked-by-a-giant-kangaroo/.

The kangaroo is one of the most recognized national icons in the world. In a 2004 study, 98.3% of participants correctly corresponded the kangaroo with Australia, outscoring such icons as the Eiffel Tower and Leaning Tower of Pisa.[1] But why is it that the kangaroo is so closely corresponded with Australia?

Symbol of Australia

While at first kangaroos were viewed as pests to the settlers, today the animal serves as the national symbol of Australia. However, it did not become a symbol purely for being distinct to the country; there had to be meaning and significance. The early Australians found eventual acceptance in the once pests and could relate to the kangaroo for some of the following reasons:

·      struggle, poverty

·      natural, free-spirited

·      confident

·      both contemporary and timeless

·      warmth, boundless energy

·      forward looking optimism

·      humorous and loveable in character

The kangaroo appeared on the national coat of arms in 1908 alongside the emu. The symbolism here is drawn from the belief that neither animal can successfully move backwards and that Australia is a nation of optimism and forward-moving progression.

http://www.anbg.gov.au/emblems/commonwealth-coat-of-arms.html

Some other iconic kangaroos that helped define the symbolism of the animal are Skippy the bush kangaroo and the kangaroo from the Qantas airlines logo. Skippy the bush kangaroo appeared on a children’s television program and is largely responsible for presenting the animal a fun, warm, and loveable. The Qantas kangaroo was marketed as the “Spirit of Australia,” and is a confident and noble icon.[2]

  

Farming Ethics and Policies

            Before kangaroos became a major symbol of Australia, they were used for entertainment purposes in England and for meat and leather locally. There was little debate over killing kangaroos because they often destroyed gardens and fences, caused automobile accidents, and sometimes even entered homes causing damage and chaos. Controversy over kangaroo farming became more eminent once the animal was nationalized; not only was there the emotional and moral dilemma over killing the national symbol, but there was also a concern for certain species’ survival.

            For some time, many groups banned kangaroo imports in attempt to dissuade the use of kangaroo farming, and in 1969 the Australian Wildlife Protection Council opposed kangaroo slaughter officially.

            Today, farming is limited to certain species and a specific quota (4 million in 2009). In a 2002 poll, 87% of Australians accepted the commercial use of kangaroo products. The arguments can be narrowed down to the following points:

·      For kangaroo culling:

o   too many kangaroos

o   trampling gardens, breaking down fences, entering homes

o   kangaroo meat

o   leather

o   road hazards

·      Against kangaroo culling:

o   cruelty

o   national symbol

o   too many endangered and extinct species in Australia already

o   damage to tourism industry

Despite differing viewpoints, everybody seems to be impressed with the kangaroo’s resilience against hunting and the changing climate.[3]

Role in Tourism

            As mentioned earlier, kangaroos have a high correlation with Australia. But does the kangaroo actually draw tourists to the country? Studies say yes! The same survey that identified this correlation found that 43.2% of international tourists want to see a kangaroo during their visit in Australia. With over 190 kangaroo tourism enterprises (in addition to wild kangaroos), 81.1% of these international tourists succeeded in seeing the unique fauna.

            The economic benefit from wildlife tourism is estimated to be $1.8-3.5 billion annually, but it is unknown how much of this is due directly to kangaroos.[4] It is my guess that as long as kangaroos serve as an icon for Australia and unique to this country that they will continue to attract tourists (like me!) from across the world.

"Beth and Kangaroo," personal photo, Australia Zoo, 6 Oct. 2012.

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[1] Karen Belinda Higginbottom, Chelsea Norththrope, David B. Croft, Brad Andrew Hill, and Liz Fredline. “The Role of Kangaroos in Australian Tourism,” Australian Mammalogy, 26 1 (2004): 26.

[2] Beth Hatton and Linda Thompson, “Kangaroo,” Symbols of Australia, ed. Melissa Harper and Richard White (Sydney: University of New South Wales Press & National Museum of Australia Press, 2010), 23-31.

[3] Rob Griffith, “Australia’s Capital Debates a Kangaroo Cull,” NBC News, last modified 15 Apr. 2009, accessed 1 Nov. 2012, http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30193832/ns/world_news-world_environment/t/australias-capital-debates-kangaroo-cull/#.UKi1e445NUR.

[4] Higginbottom, op. cit., 25-27.