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Science Under Siege: Zoology Under Threat
Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales
ISBN electronic:
978-0-9803272-8-1
Publication date:
2012
Chapter Contents
Book Chapter
THINKK again: getting the facts straight on kangaroo harvesting and conservation
By
M. Archer
;
M. Archer
Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, NSW 2052
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A. Baumber
;
A. Baumber
Institute of Environmental Studies, University of New South Wales, NSW 2052
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P. Ampt
;
P. Ampt
Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, University of Sydney, NSW 2006
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J. Smits
;
J. Smits
Australian Wildlife Services, ACT 2600
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Published:2012
Citation
R. Cooney, M. Archer, A. Baumber, P. Ampt, G. Wilson, J. Smits, G. Webb, 2012. "THINKK again: getting the facts straight on kangaroo harvesting and conservation", Science Under Siege: Zoology Under Threat, Peter Banks, Daniel Lunney, Chris Dickman
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A recent publication from the Think Tank for Kangaroos (THINKK) in the Institute of Sustainable Futures at the University of Technology Sydney evaluates the idea that eating wild harvested kangaroo meat is environmentally beneficial, compared to other meats produced on rangelands (Ben-Ami et al. 2010). It finds in the negative. The report purports to be a reasoned and objective analysis based on the science surrounding kangaroo harvesting. Here we examine this document with reference to available literature, and demonstrate that it is neither well-reasoned nor accurate. It contains multiple errors of fact, inaccurately represents published research, and makes several invalid and seriously misleading comparisons. In our view, this report makes an inaccurate and potentially misleading contribution to the scientific, legal and social debate on kangaroo management. In the light of these findings we discuss the challenges to academic objectivity and rigour posed by funding of university research by interest groups.
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