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Kangaroo Meat Could Help Australia Cut Gas Emissions
Replacing much of Australia's beef and lamb with kangaroo meat could significantly cut the continent's greenhouse gas emissions and save its native terrain, according to a new proposal.
A recent study suggests phasing out some 7 million cattle and 36 million sheep from Australian rangelands—semiarid land that doesn't naturally produce the grass livestock requires—and replacing them with kangaroos.
Because of their unique gut microbes, kangaroos emit much less methane than sheep and cattle, said lead author George Wilson, of Canberra consultancy Australian Wildlife Services.
Continues... Replacing much of Australia's beef and lamb with kangaroo meat could significantly cut the continent's greenhouse gas emissi... more -
Eat kangaroo to 'save the planet'
Switching from beef to kangaroo burgers could significantly help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, says an Australian scientist.
The gas produced by sheep and cows through belching and flatulence is a huge contributor to global warming - much more than carbon dioxide. But kangaroos produce virtually no methane gas because their digestive systems are different.
Dr George Wilson, of the Australian Wildlife Services, urges farming them. He says they have a different set of micro-organisms in their guts to cows and sheep. Sheep and cattle account for 11% of Australia's carbon footprint and over the years, there have been various proposals to deal with the problem.
Now Dr Wilson believes kangaroos might hold the answer. He said: "It tastes excellent, not unlike venison - only a different flavour." The country already produces 30 million kangaroos farmed by landholders in the outback. But Dr Wilson is keen to see that population dramatically increased to produce the same amount of kangaroo meat as that currently produced by conventional livestock. Switching from beef to kangaroo burgers could significantly help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, says an Australian scientist. ... more -
Eat kangaroo to 'save the planet'
Switching from beef to kangaroo burgers could significantly help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, says an Australian scientist.
The gas produced by sheep and cows through belching and flatulence is a huge contributor to global warming - much more than carbon dioxide.
But kangaroos produce virtually no methane gas because their digestive systems are different.
Dr George Wilson, of the Australian Wildlife Services, urges farming them.
He says they have a different set of micro-organisms in their guts to cows and sheep.
Sheep and cattle account for 11% of Australia's carbon footprint and over the years, there have been various proposals to deal with the problem.
Now Dr Wilson believes kangaroos might hold the answer.
He said: "It tastes excellent, not unlike venison - only a different flavour."
The country already produces 30 million kangaroos farmed by landholders in the outback.
But Dr Wilson is keen to see that population dramatically increased to produce the same amount of kangaroo meat as that currently produced by conventional livestock. Switching from beef to kangaroo burgers could significantly help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, says an Australian scientist. ... more -
Aussies should fight climate change by eating kangaroo, says study
Australians who want to make a dent in climate change just need to eat more kangaroo, says a new study in the journal Conservation Letters. The methane-producing burps and farts of sheep and cattle contribute 11 percent of Australia's annual greenhouse-gas emissions. Kangaroos, however, emit little methane. Researchers say that 175 million kangaroos could produce the meat of 7 million cattle and 36 million sheep, and a switch-to-roo by 2020 could lower Australia's greenhouse-gas emissions by 3 percent each year. They also note that reducing the number of hard-hoofed livestock tramping around would reduce soil erosion. While some farmers think of 'roos as pests, getting most Aussies on board would require "large cultural and social adjustments and reinvestment," says the study, noting such wee potential problems as "protective legislation and the status of kangaroos as a national icon." Australians who want to make a dent in climate change just need to eat more kangaroo, says a new study in the journal Conservation Let... more
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Aboriginal Origins
A cutdown of a documentary on Australia's 50,000 year old aboriginal culture. The aboriginals of Australia are using their artwork to give us their view and understanding of the world. A cutdown of a documentary on Australia's 50,000 year old aboriginal culture. The aboriginals of Australia are using their artwo... more
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Kangaroo attacks woman. Dog comes to rescue
The 6-ft., 5-in. kangaroo lunged without warning Friday at 65-year-old Rosemary Neal as she went to check on some horses on her farm.
"The kangaroo just jumped up and launched straight at her," he said. "He hit her once and she just dropped and rolled. My dog heard her screaming and bolted down and chased him off.
"If it wasn't for the dog, she'd probably be dead."
Rosemary Neal was hospitalized with a concussion and deep cuts to her face, hands and back, he said.
Most species are not considered aggressive toward humans, and attacks are extremely rare. But males fight each other for mates, rearing up on their tails to scratch at the soft flesh of the bellies of their rivals with the powerful legs they more commonly use for their trademark leaps. The 6-ft., 5-in. kangaroo lunged without warning Friday at 65-year-old Rosemary Neal as she went to check on some horses on her farm. ... more -
Dog saves woman from kangaroo
Rosemary Neal, 65, was walking through a mob of kangaroos to look after some horses in a paddock at the farm near Mudgee, 160 miles northwest of Sydney.
Her son Darren said the area was overrun with the large marsupials, which rarely attack people, and she had felt entirely safe in their company.
But then, a large male kangaroo inches taller than the 5’6 foot Mrs Neal, suddenly lunged at her.
“The kangaroo has just jumped up and launched straight at her,” he told local newspapers. “He hit her once and she just dropped and rolled. My dog heard her screaming and bolted down and chased him off.
“If it wasn’t for the dog she’d probably be dead.”
Mrs Neal was discharged from hospital, but her son said she was in “a bad way”.
“Her face has been ripped apart, her hand has been mauled, and she’s got scratches all over her back and concussion,” he said. “Her whole body is sore where she has dropped to the ground.”
Kangaroos are common across the whole Australian landmass and there are dozens of species ranging from tiny, 17-ounce potoroos to Red Kangaroos, the world’s largest marsupial that can grow past 6 feet tall and weigh more than 200 pounds.
Mr Neal said there were lots of the animals in the area of Mudgee.
“There would be a couple of hundred kangaroos within a hundred metres of the house,” he said. Rosemary Neal, 65, was walking through a mob of kangaroos to look after some horses in a paddock at the farm near Mudgee, 160 miles no... more -
Skippy vs Fido - Pet Dog saves Granny from Rampaging Roo
An elderly woman was attacked by a large kangaroo on a farm in Australia and was lucky to be alive after a pet dog leapt to her aid, her son said Saturday.
The 6-foot-5-inch kangaroo lunged without warning at 65-year-old Rosemary Neal as she went to check on some horses in a paddock on the property near Mudgee, 160 miles northwest of Sydney on Friday, son Darren Neal said.
The kangaroo "just jumped up and launched straight at her," Darren Neal said. "He hit her once and she just dropped and rolled. My dog heard her screaming and bolted down and chased him off.
"It wasn't for the dog she'd probably be dead."
Rosemary Neal was hospitalized for for deep cuts to her face, hands and back and a concussion, he said.
Kangaroos are widespread across Australia and there are dozens of species in the family, ranging from tiny, 17-ounce potoroos to Red Kangaroos, the world's largest marsupial that can grow past 6 feet tall and weigh more than 200 pounds.
Most species are not considered aggressive toward humans, and attacks are extremely rare. But males fight each other for mates, rearing up on their tails to scratch at the soft belly flesh of their rivals with the powerful legs they more commenly use for their trademark leaps.
Darren Neal said mobs of kangaroos had become common on their farm and his mother thought nothing of walking through them in the paddock. Usually, they just jump away.
"My mum is 65 years old and about five-and-a-half foot," he said. "Her whole body is sore where she has dropped to the ground." An elderly woman was attacked by a large kangaroo on a farm in Australia and was lucky to be alive after a pet dog leapt to her aid, h... more -
Eco-friendly kangaroo farts could help global warming:
The three stooges would be proud.
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Kangaroo Farts: The Answer to Global Warming?
Cattle and sheep have much to account for in the fight against global warming. I once read that livestocks windy emissions significantly contributed to the production of greenhouse gases.
Researchers in Australia think they have found a way to counter that though by studying kangaroo farts.
Apparently kangaroo flatulence contains no methane. This is because their stomachs contain special bacteria. Scientists want to give kangaroo-style stomachs to cattle and sheep by transferring the bacteria to livestock.
Athol Klieve, a senior research scientist with the Queensland Government said "Fourteen per cent of emissions from all sources in Australia [are] from enteric methane from cattle and sheep.
That figure rises to 50% in nearby New Zealand. Cattle and sheep have much to account for in the fight against global warming. I once read that livestocks windy emissions significan... more -
Kangaroo Farts Could Help Global Warming!
"Australian scientists are trying to give kangaroo-style stomachs to cattle and sheep in a bid to cut the emission of greenhouse gases blamed for global warming, researchers say.
Thanks to special bacteria in their stomachs, kangaroo flatulence contains no methane and scientists want to transfer that bacteria to cattle and sheep who emit large quantities of the harmful gas.
While the usual image of greenhouse gas pollution is a billowing smokestack pushing out carbon dioxide, livestock passing wind contribute a surprisingly high percentage of total emissions in some countries."
Really? There's no better way to stop global warming? Haha. "Australian scientists are trying to give kangaroo-style stomachs to cattle and sheep in a bid to cut the emission of greenhouse ... more -
Kangaroo plays Frogger
What happens when a Kangaroo decides to join a race of V8 racing cars at Bathurst in Australia? Watch and find out.
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Ban on Kangaroo Hides Puzzles Australians Here
NYT: When the California Supreme Court on Monday effectively banned the sale of kangaroo leather soccer shoes in deciding a lawsuit, Australians here asked why. NYT: When the California Supreme Court on Monday effectively banned the sale of kangaroo leather soccer shoes in deciding a lawsuit, A... more
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Kangaroo-Based Shoes (and More) Banned...for Now
SFist: Because kangaroos are so adorably bouncy and keep their little blessings inside of their pouches, the California Supreme Court just overturned the Senates May decision to end the ban "on importing and selling kangaroo parts." SFist: Because kangaroos are so adorably bouncy and keep their little blessings inside of their pouches, the California Supreme Court ... more
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