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Aussies Face Protests Over Kangaroo Cull

Pro-whaling Japan pounces on neighbor's seeming hypocrisy

By Lucas Laursen,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 17, 2008 9:10 AM CDT

(Newser) – Australia is planning to cull 400 kangaroos on a military base, and Japan—oft-criticized by Australia for its whaling practices—is jumping at the opportunity to hail its neighbor as hypocritical, reports the Sydney Morning Herald. Not so, says Australia’s PM. The whaling issue is subject to "an agreement between many states, and it goes to whether what is occurring is scientific whaling or not," said Kevin Rudd.

Rudd declined to get into details of the cull, which is planned on military land north of Canberra and has attracted about 70 Aboriginal and other Australian protesters who are blockading the site. The protests have in turn attracted Japanese media, which report that Japan considers the hunt hypocritical.

Gunilaroi Tribe member Robert Craigie speaks to protesters about the cull of 400 eastern gray kangaroo at the Belconnen Naval Transmission Station at Lawson, Canberra Sat March 15, 2008.
Gunilaroi Tribe member Robert Craigie speaks to protesters about the cull of 400 eastern gray kangaroo at the Belconnen Naval Transmission Station at Lawson, Canberra Sat March 15, 2008.   (AP Photo/Mark Graham)
A planned kangaroo cull has triggered protests and split Australians over the merits of killing their beloved national symbol to protect rare lizards and insects that share their grassy habitat.
A planned kangaroo cull has triggered protests and split Australians over the merits of killing their beloved national symbol to protect rare lizards and insects that share their grassy habitat.   (AP Photo/Mark Graham)
Gunilaroi Tribe member Robert Craigie speaks to protesters about the cull of 400 eastern gray kangaroo at the Belconnen Naval Transmission Station at Lawson, Canberra Sat March 15, 2008.
Gunilaroi Tribe member Robert Craigie speaks to protesters about the cull of 400 eastern gray kangaroo at the Belconnen Naval Transmission Station at Lawson, Canberra Sat March 15, 2008.   (AP Photo/Mark Graham)
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The meat of the issue

Kangaroo meat has an image problem
Reuters

Kangaroo cull whale of a problem?

Japan uses kangaroo hunt to turn around whaling lectures
Australia's News Network

Aborigines and protestors gather at hunt site

Protesters threaten to interfere with hunt
ABC News (Australia)

RSPCA and expert board didn't support moving the 'roos
Canberra Times

More Newser Stories

Whales Fall as Hunt Resumes

Greenpeace Ship Scatters Japanese Whalers

Japan Backs Down on Whaling

Japan Sends Mixed Signals on Whale Hunt


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