Kangaroo meat

Kangaroo meat is made from wild kangaroos in Australia and is sent to more than 61 countries around the world.

For many indigenous Australians, kangaroo has been an important food source for over 40,000 years. Kangaroo meat has a lot of protein (23.2%) and very little fat (2.6%). It also contains a special kind of healthy fat called conjugated linoleic acid that can be good for you.

Kangaroo meat is also used to make food for pets. Because it has so little fat, it is cooked differently from other red meats. It is usually either cooked slowly or quickly stir-fried.

Production

Kangaroo meat comes from wild kangaroos that are harvested by licensed shooters in special areas. The process follows strict rules to make sure it is done humanely and safely. The kangaroos are cleaned right away and taken to cold storage or special plants for processing.

Australia has the biggest wildlife trade for land animals, and only harvests kangaroos in areas where it is allowed. There are limits on how many can be taken to keep the population healthy. In Victoria, these limits were set in 2019. If kangaroo numbers get too low, harvesting stops until they grow back. The meat that is sold follows many rules to stay clean and safe, and it is checked by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

Processing facilities

Special plants process kangaroo meat. They check the meat, cut away any bad parts, and prepare it into different shapes like slices and ground meat. They use clean tools and follow strict safety rules to keep the meat healthy.

Wild game meat transfer vehicles

Vehicles that carry kangaroo meat for people to eat must be special and kept very clean. They have hanging frames to keep the meat off the floor and are kept cold. These vehicles are checked often to make sure they meet all the rules.

Field depots

Field depots are places where the meat is kept cold until it gets to the processing plants. They are also checked often to make sure they follow the rules, and each piece of meat is tagged so its path can be tracked.

Pet food processing

Kangaroo meat that is not for people to eat is made into pet food in separate, licensed facilities that follow special rules.

Nutrition and products

Kangaroo meat has been an important food for Indigenous Australians for over 40,000 years. It is very high in protein and very low in fat, making it a healthy choice. It has about 23.2% protein and only 2.6% fat, which is much less than beef.

Kangaroo meat is also rich in important nutrients like vitamins and minerals. It helps with strong muscles and keeps the body healthy. Many supermarkets and restaurants in Australia now sell kangaroo meat, and it is eaten in many countries around the world.

Purity and safety

Kangaroo meat is very clean and safe to eat. Tests show that it does not contain harmful chemicals like pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, heavy metals, or medicines used for animals. Dangerous substances such as lead, cadmium, and mercury are not found in kangaroo meat. It is also free from certain harmful chemicals like DDT, aldrin, and hexachlorobenzene.

Studies show that kangaroo meat has very low levels of lead compared to other meats like venison or quail. This is because kangaroos live in areas far from factories and farms, eating natural plants. Kangaroo meat also does not contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are found in many foods and water because of industry. This makes kangaroo meat a very clean choice for people who care about their health.

Food safety standards

Kangaroo meat must be handled, transported, and processed in a very clean way to keep it safe to eat. There are strict rules that businesses must follow to make sure the meat is clean and safe. These rules include washing hands, cleaning tools, and keeping the meat cool during transport.

Different areas in Australia have their own rules that follow these standards. When kangaroo meat is sent to other countries, it must also meet international safety rules. These rules help make sure that kangaroo meat is safe and clean for everyone to eat.

Population sustainability and environmental impact

Kangaroo meat comes from four main kinds of kangaroos that are found in the wild in Australia. Some large kangaroo groups have many members, so they can be hunted by special hunters. This idea is supported by some scientists who believe using native animals like kangaroos instead of farm animals like sheep helps protect Australia’s lands and reduces gases that harm the environment.

Governments carefully watch kangaroo numbers and set limits on how many can be hunted each year to keep their populations safe. If kangaroo numbers get too low, hunting stops until they grow back. Only licensed hunters are allowed to harvest kangaroos, and they follow strict rules to make sure the process is quick and safe. The meat that is sold or sent to other countries is checked to make sure it is healthy.

Animal welfare

Some people worry about how kangaroos are hunted for meat. They say that when kangaroos are shot, baby kangaroos may also be hurt or left behind.

In some countries, people have protested against selling kangaroo meat. A few stores have stopped selling it because of this.

Some believe that when fewer kangaroos are hunted for meat, more might be killed for other reasons to control their numbers. These killings might not be as carefully watched, and the kangaroos may not be used for anything.

Kangatarianism

Kangatarianism is a way of eating where people choose to eat only kangaroo meat instead of other meats. This is done for reasons that help the environment and for ethical reasons. People who follow this diet believe that eating kangaroo meat is better for the planet because kangaroos do not need extra land or water, and they produce less methane, a gas that warms the Earth, compared to cows and other farm animals. Supporters of this diet also say that kangaroos live natural lives, eat natural food, and are handled carefully when they are prepared for food. Some people in Australia have also talked about eating only the meat of wild camels, calling it "Cameltarianism," for similar reasons.

Name

People in the kangaroo meat industry wanted to find a special name for kangaroo meat, like how pig meat is called ham or pork, and deer meat is called venison. They thought a new name might help people feel better about eating kangaroo, since many think of kangaroos as cute animals.

In 2005, a magazine called Food Companion International held a competition to find a new name. Over 2,700 people from 41 countries entered, and the winning name was "australus." Other suggested names included kangarly, maroo, and krou. However, the kangaroo industry has not officially started using this new name.

Traditional Aboriginal use

Kangaroos have been an important food source for many Aboriginal people for thousands of years. The Arrernte people of Central Australia call kangaroos Kere aherre. They would hunt kangaroos using dogs and spears. After hunting, they would prepare the meat by removing certain parts and cooking it over fire.

The Anangu, Pitjantjatjara, and Yankunytjatjara peoples of Central Australia call kangaroos "malu." They use kangaroo meat as food and also use parts of the kangaroo for making tools. Kangaroos are also an important symbol for these communities. Rangers in the Angas Downs Indigenous Protected Area work to help protect and care for kangaroo populations through a process called Kuka Kanyini.