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National Code of Practice for the Humane Shooting of Kangaroos and Wallabies For National Code of Practice for the Humane Shooting of Kangaroos and Wallabies for Non-Commercial Purposes Endorsed by the Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council National code of Practice for the Humane Shooting of Kangaroos and Wallabies for Non-Commercial Purposes 1 The Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council (NRMMC) consists of the Australian state, territory and New Zealand government ministers responsible for primary industries, natural resources, environment and water policy. Addresses of relevant government authorities may be found on the final page. © Commonwealth of Australia and each of its states and territories 2008 Information in this publication may be copied or reproduced for study, research, information or educational purposes, subject to the inclusion of an acknowledgment of the source. Published under the title Code of Practice for the Humane Shooting of Kangaroos: First Edition published 1985 Second Edition published 1990, Reprinted 1995 and 1998 Published under the title National Code of Practice for the Humane Shooting of Kangaroos and Wallabies for Non-commercial Purposes: First Edition published 2008 The contents of this document have been compiled using a range of source materials and while reasonable care has been taken in its compilation, the Commonwealth Government does not accept responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this docuement and shall not be liable for any loss or damage that may be occasioned directly or indirectly through the use of or reliance on the contents of the document. The Code is based on the knowledge and technology available at the time of publication and may need to be varied in the light of new knowledge. Suggestions on how the Code can be improved are welcome and should be forwarded to: Director of Wildlife Trade Assessments Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts GPO Box 787 CANBERRA ACT 2601 or by email to [email protected] First Edition. Effective from 7th November 2008 This edition of the Code will be reviewed within five years of its adoption. CONTENTS PREFACE.............................................................................................................................4 1. INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................5 1.1 Purpose of the Code...............................................................................5 1.2 Definitions...............................................................................................5 1.3 Legislation...............................................................................................5 1.4 Structure of the Code..............................................................................6 2. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS AND PROCEDURES.............................................6 2.1 Centrefire and Rimfire Rifles.....................................................................7 2.2 Shotguns................................................................................................7 2.3 Ammunition.............................................................................................8 2.4 Shooting procedures...............................................................................8 2.5 Conditions...............................................................................................8 3. SHOOTING FOR NON-COMMERCIAL PURPOSES.............................................11 3.1 Competency..........................................................................................11 3.2 Conditions.............................................................................................11 4. EUTHANASING INJURED KANGAROOS AND WALLABIES......................................11 4.1 Conditions.............................................................................................12 5. EUTHANASING POUCH YOUNG AND YOUNG AT FOOT.......................................12 5.1 Conditions.............................................................................................13 6. SHOOTING FOR SCIENTIFIC PURPOSES...........................................................14 6.1 Conditions.............................................................................................14 7. SHOOTING FOR SPECIAL PURPOSES...............................................................15 7.1 Shooting in situations that present a safety risk to humans....................15 7.2 Conditions.............................................................................................15 SCHEDULE 1: Minimum specifications for firearms and ammunition.............................16 SCHEDULE 2: Point of aim for a shot to the brain (all kangaroos and wallabies)............18 SCHEDULE 3: Point of aim for a shot to the heart (applicable only as described for injured kangaroos and specified shotguns)............................................18 Government authorities – contact details............................................................................19 PREFACE The National Code of Practice for the Humane Shooting of Kangaroos and Wallabies for Non-commercial Purposes sets an achievable standard of humane conduct and is the minimum required of persons shooting kangaroos and wallabies for reasons other than commercial utilisation of kangaroo products (skins and meat). The Code is implemented through education and relevant government authority legislation as appropriate. The Code replaces the (National) Code of Practice for the Humane Shooting of Kangaroos which was developed by Australian, state and territory government authorities and endorsed by the former Council of Nature Conservation Ministers (CONCOM) in 1985. The 1985 edition was revised and the second edition was endorsed by CONCOM and published in 1990. Since 1990, there has been a considerable amount of scientific research conducted into kangaroo behaviour and ecology and considerable changes in the kangaroo industry. A review of the 1990 Code allowed the determination of the minimum achievable standard of humane conduct under present circumstances. In 2002, the Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council (NRMMC) established a working group to review the Code. The NRMMC consists of the Australian, state, territory and New Zealand government ministers responsible for primary industries, natural resources, environment and water policy. The Working Group included representatives from Australian, State and Territory government authorities responsible for kangaroo management and welfare, the kangaroo industry, RSPCA and Animals Australia. The Working Group sought public comment on the revision of the Code and these comments were taken into account in the development of two separate codes, a commercial and a non-commercial code. This first edition of the non-commercial code was endorsed by NRMMC on the 7th of November 2008 and should be read in conjunction with the National Code of Practice for the Humane Shooting of Kangaroos and Wallabies for Commercial Purposes. National code of Practice for the Humane Shooting of Kangaroos and Wallabies for Non-Commercial Purposes 4 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Purpose of the Code This Code has been produced to ensure that all persons intending to shoot free-living kangaroos or wallabies for non-commercial purposes undertake the shooting so that the animal is killed in a way that minimises pain and suffering. 1.2 Definitions In this Code, the terms ‘kangaroo’ and ‘wallaby’ mean all species of the family Macropodidae within the superfamily Macropodoidea which includes kangaroos, wallaroos (or euros), wallabies and pademelons. For the purposes of this Code, a non-commercial purpose is where the animal shot is not used as product to be sold within Australia or overseas. 1.3 Legislation All shooting of kangaroos and wallabies, whether on public or private land, is subject to law. As the laws may differ between states and territories, shooters must contact the relevant government authority in the state or territory in which the shooting will occur for appropriate advice. Except where specifically exempted by law, states and territories will require the shooter to have a licence or permit issued by a relevant government authority. The licence or permit will specify any conditions or restrictions that may apply. The requirements of this Code do not override state or territory animal welfare legislation. A lack of knowledge of relevant state or territory animal welfare legislation is no defence against prosecution for animal welfare offences. National code of Practice for the Humane Shooting of Kangaroos and Wallabies for Non-Commercial Purposes 5 1.4 Structure of the Code The Code is divided into six sections covering: • Introduction • Technical specifications and procedures • Shooting for non-commercial purposes • Euthanasing injured kangaroos and wallabies • Euthanasing pouch young and young at foot and • Shooting for scientific purposes, and • Shooting for special purposes The Code also has three Schedules. These are: Schedule 1: Minimum specifications for firearms and ammunition Schedule 2: Points of aim for a shot to the brain and Schedule 3: Points of aim for a shot to the heart. In each section an introduction provides background to the conditions that must be adhered to by all persons shooting kangaroos and wallabies. 2. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS AND PROCEDURES The range of firearms and ammunition available to licensed shooters in Australia is extensive, but only a small selection
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