Change the Narrative: Reclaiming the Truth About Kangaroos

We’ve been fed a story. One that paints kangaroos as pests, nuisances, and obstacles. A story that justifies cruelty, indifference, and silence. But it’s time to change the narrative—because the one we’ve been told is not only wrong, it’s dangerous.

Let’s start here:

“Kangaroos are idiots on the road.”

Change the narrative: Kangaroos were here long before roads. They don’t understand our traffic—they’re confused, frightened, and disoriented by headlights and speeding vehicles. They’re not reckless. They’re trying to survive in a world that’s been built around them.

“Kangaroos are stealing food from our starving sheep.”

Change the narrative: This was kangaroo country long before sheep and cattle arrived. Kangaroos graze lightly—they nibble the tips of grasses and leave the roots intact, allowing the land to regenerate. Sheep and cattle, with their hard hooves and grazing habits, tear vegetation out by the roots, leaving the earth dry, compacted, and barren.

“There are too many kangaroos.”

Change the narrative: “Too many” according to whom? Kangaroo numbers fluctuate naturally with rainfall and food availability. The real issue is habitat loss, fencing, and land clearing. We’ve taken so much from them—and now we blame them for trying to survive in the scraps we’ve left behind.

“Kangaroos are aggressive.”

Change the narrative: Kangaroos are peaceful by nature. Like any animal, they defend themselves when threatened. Most so-called “attacks” happen when humans approach too closely, especially during breeding season or when a mother is protecting her joey. Respect their space, and they’ll respect yours.

“Kangaroos are just dumb animals.”

Change the narrative: Kangaroos are intelligent, social, and emotionally complex. They form lifelong bonds, grieve their dead, and raise their young with extraordinary care. A mother roo will risk her life to protect her joey. That’s not dumb—that’s devotion.

“Kangaroo meat is sustainable and humane.”

Change the narrative: The kangaroo industry is built on night-time shooting, where accuracy is poor and suffering is high. Many are wounded, not killed instantly. Joeys are bludgeoned or left to die. This is not humane. It’s state-sanctioned cruelty.

“Kangaroos are everywhere—they’re not endangered.”

Change the narrative: Some species of kangaroo are in serious decline, and local populations are being wiped out. Just because you see a few doesn’t mean they’re thriving. We’ve already lost so many native species to ignorance and inaction—let’s not add kangaroos to that list.

“They’re just animals.”

Change the narrative: They are sentient beings. They feel fear, pain, joy, and connection. They are mothers, fathers, siblings, and friends. They are not “just” anything. They are someone.

“It’s just nature.”

Change the narrative: No, it’s not. It’s human interference. It’s speeding cars, habitat destruction, and sanctioned killing. Nature didn’t do this—we did. And we can choose to do better.

“There’s nothing we can do.”

Change the narrative: There is so much we can do. Drive mindfully. Speak up. Share the truth. Support carers. Challenge cruelty. Change begins with awareness—and awareness begins with us.

Let’s rewrite the story. Let’s honour the truth. Let’s give kangaroos the respect, protection, and compassion they’ve always deserved.

Because they are not the problem. They are the victims of one.