There are nearly twice as many kangaroos as people in Australia and the rapid rise in kangaroo population, up 66 percent this decade, is fanning a novel idea for the nation: Eat more kangaroo meat, reports the BBC. It could be a hard sell, since the kangaroo and the emu are on the national coat of arms, and the kangaroo is a popular symbol of the country.
“Because kangaroos are Australia’s national animal, eating of their meat remains quite stigmatized,” says the BBC. For many Australians, kangaroo is a novelty for tourists wanting some “bush tucker.” The country has strict rules for humane killing of kangaroos, intended to keep the population at a sustainable level. Australian media say low trade prices for kangaroo products, such as hides, leather and meat, have reduced the cull rate.
A University of Adelaide professor says that eating kangaroo meat would prevent wastage of the meat. “Proponents say kangaroo meat is low in fat and because the animals produce less methane than other farmed animals, they are more environmentally friendly,” says the BBC.