TBIDesigns

After moving in March to kill kangaroos at the former naval station for environmental reasons, the defence failed to sacrifice to pursue the study of animals in interstate movement towards protest actions.

Defence spokesman Brigadier Andrew Nikolic said today the department has thoroughly examined the proposal but felt it would be costly.

“The federal government has withdrawn its support for a research project translocation, as it does not consider that this is a profitable use of taxpayers’ money,”Brig Nikolic said in a statement.
Defence estimates the cost of relocation to $ 3.5 million.

Eight police officers at the scene today barricaded the entrance, where hundreds of demonstrators are expected to arrive tomorrow.

Six animal welfare protesters gathered there today and said they remain until the matter is resolved.

Tigger demonstrator Williams feared the sacrifice will become a “bloodbath.”

“The kangaroos are going to break their necks and legs in the fences trying to escape, because you can not get a kangaroo to go anywhere,’’said Mrs. Williams AAP.

“As soon as this starts to panic and will become a bloodbath.”

An act ranger’s vehicle was seen entering the site carrying equipment including including bags of Hesse and a unit of removing sharp objects.

Hesse covered fencing has been erected to the pen of animals and about five large freezer boxes have been placed on the site.

The Defense Department said contractors hired to carry out the slaughter would tranquillising kangaroos and then giving them lethal injections.

ACT Animal Liberation head Bernard Brennan said the protesters were willing to do anything stop the slaughter forward.

“We will launch our vigil and keep an eye on the place and we just have to do whatever it takes to stop the slaughter.”

Wildcare vice president Greg Tarlinton said he was very surprised by the decision of Defense.

“We’ve been trying to help put Defense translocation in this place that approved it, but now have backflipped,”he said.

Mr Tarlinton said Defense made the decision because the slaughter of animals is easier than translocating.

“There is very little difference in cost-wise one way or another. This is not about the cost, the sacrifice is nothing but the easiest option,”he told AAP.

“I also believe that there is great pressure from the ACT government to go ahead with the sacrifice.”

An act of government report published earlier this year recommended the sacrifice to protect lowland grassland native and endangered species.

Brig Nikolic said the government TCA and Defence agree that the kangaroo population on the site was superabundante and unsustainable.

He said that in the last in December 2007, there were about 590 kangaroos on the site. About 400 will be slaughtered.

“The defense is committed to sustainable environmental management, protection of ecological communities endangered and threatened species and humane management of more than abundant species,”he said.

The proposed slaughter had called international condemnation of animals including British activist group Viva! That is supported by celebrities rock stars Sir Paul McCartney and Chrissie Hynde.