Dutch e-commerce giant stops selling kangaroo products
World Animal Protection started its campaign on World Kangaroo Day (Sunday, October 24th), and within a month collected more than 18,500 signatures calling on companies to remove kangaroo products from their range.
The European Union and the Netherlands are among the largest kangaroo leather and meat importers. The meat ends up in restaurants, butchers or is processed into pet food. And the leather is used to make ice skates, shoes, hats and other fashion items.
Kangaroo hunting causes enormous animal suffering. About 1.6 million wild kangaroos in Australia are shot for their meat and skin every year. Most kangaroo kills are not immediately lethal, leaving the animals to die a slow, painful death or to be maimed for life. Young kangaroos are either left defenceless or beaten to death because they are not profitable in this industry.
But the tide is turning against kangaroo products. Bol.com joins other retailers including Delhaize, Carrefour, Makro and Spar who have already stopped offering kangaroo skin and meat products.
We are extremely happy with the step that Bol.com is taking. This shows leadership, proves that animal welfare really matters, and helps consumers make more conscious choices. We hope other companies will follow this fantastic example.”Sanne Kuijpers, Wild Animals Campaign Manager at World Animal Protection Netherlands
Over the next four months World Animal Protection will be asking other Dutch companies to remove kangaroo products from their range to end the cruel hunting of these animals. World Animal Protection is also calling on consumers to stop buying kangaroo products.
