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September 7, 2008 12:44:14 AM CDT

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Kangaroo Farts Could Help Curb Warming

Posted Dec 8, 07 7:43 PM CST in World,  Science & Health 

(Newser) – Australian scientists worried about global warming have turned to one of Mother Nature's cleanest "natural gas" producers, the kangaroo, for help. It seems that when kangaroos fart, the stuff contains none of the methane produced by cattle and sheep breaking wind. Scientists want to transfer the bacteria from kangaroos' stomachs to those animals to cut down on their noxious emissions, AFP reports.

It's no joke. "Fourteen percent of emissions from all sources in Australia is from enteric methane from cattle and sheep," said one researcher. In New Zealand, the figure is closer to 50%. Plus, farmers would save a bundle on feed because the bacteria also makes the animals' digestion more efficient. The technique is still years off.

Source AFP

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"Fourteen percent of emissions from all sources in Australia is from enteric methane from cattle and sheep," said a senior research scientist with the Queensland state government.   (Shutterstock.com)
A female kangaroo and her joey are seen in this file photo from Aug. 29, 2005, in suburban Sydney. Australian scientists are hoping to modify cows and sheep to give them stomachs closer to those of kangaroos,...   (Associated Press)
Researchers say the sought-after bacteria also makes the kangaroo's digestive process more efficient than cattle's and could potentially save millions of dollars in feed costs for farmers.   (Shutterstock.com)
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global warming  • Australia  • greenhouse gases  • cattle  • methane


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