Experts: Aussies need to eat more roos

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We know there may be too many kangaroos down there in Australia, but can eating them really solve the problem?

Experts are now encouraging people to hunt down and eat the national symbol, as the growing numbers of the native animal have damaged biodiversity, trampled crops or even threatened humans in public areas.

Fried kangaroo meat. /the Paper Photo

According to new data released by the Australian government, last year, there were almost 45 million kangaroos in Australia, and now its population is close to hitting 50 million, compared to about 27 million in 2010.

This is largely due to the abundant rainfall since 2011's La Nina, the storm which finally broke the country's long drought.

David Paton, Associate Professor from the University of Adelaide, told the ABC that people needed to cull kangaroos and eat their meat to avoid waste, and he added that the killing should be done in a humane way.

A chef is making a kangaroo meat dish. /the Paper Photo

But opponents say there is no substantial evidence that cutting the number of kangaroos could help protect the environment, and that after the kangaroos are hunted, much of their meat won’t be consumed by the locals.

Australia has therefore tried to export the meat overseas where the people may be interested in trying some exotic meat. So far it’s sold to over 60 countries, and China is on the way.

Dried kangaroo meat. /the Paper Photo

Last year, a small amount of kangaroo meat samples were allowed to be brought to China, Sina News reported.

Ann McDonald of Australia’s Department of Agriculture and Water Resources said they had been communicating with the Chinese government. Highly concerned about food hygiene and animal welfare issues though, Chinese officials looked forward to seeing kangaroo meat enter the Chinese market as soon as possible.