http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapc....ap/index.html

Kangaroo Pill to thin numbers





CANBERRA, Australia (AP) -- Scientists are hoping to develop an oral contraceptive for female kangaroos that will keep pouches empty as they hop around the national capital's grassy fringes.
Government ecologist Don Fletcher said Wednesday the oral contraceptive method promised to be more efficient than existing technology for curbing roo numbers around Canberra such as vasectomies for males and injections for females because the fleet-footed marsupials would not need to be captured.
"Realistically, to deal with wild animals it has to be oral," said Fletcher, who is collaborating with Newcastle University scientists on the research.
"One of the challenges is finding kangaroo ice-cream," he said, referring to a food pellet that grass-munching roos will find irresistible.
Field tests of the contraceptive could be under way in two-to-five years, he said.
Kangaroos are an ever-present road hazard in Canberra, particularly in dry months when thousands bounce in from the surrounding countryside to feed on watered lawns and golf courses.
The Australian Capital Territory government, which administers Canberra and is funding the research, is reluctant to use shooters to thin the kangaroo population because of the risk posed to humans in built-up areas and the cruelty objections raised by animal welfare groups.
ACT Animal Liberation, a local animal rights group that has been a vocal opponent of kangaroo culls, has applauded the new research.

Okay these animal liberationists prefer we put chemicals into a roo to stop the growth and not just shoot them.

Don't make too much sense to me, just Lefties saying "There must be an alternative to hunting".

And yeah, roo's are a pain in the butt in Canberra. I lived there for four years, and they where all over the roads in summer. Dad almost lost the car on many occasions when they jumped out in front of us.

But There So Cute!

Originally Posted by Rabs

But There So Cute!

Wow, Rabs...You read my mind. LOL I want one!!

Cute, and annoying, and car damaging.

I can imagine they are like hitting a dear here in the states. Very dangerous.

I can imagine they are like hitting a dear here in the states. Very dangerous.

Exactly, and they're stupid as well. You can only hope you catch them on the bounce and clip them over the roof.

Thats mad giving 'em the pill. I understand very dangerous to motorist etc..but will that not be extremely costly to the government???
We dont have a big problem with deer here, so I guess I dont personally know the dangers.

Originally Posted by AussieNick

Exactly, and they're stupid as well. You can only hope you catch them on the bounce and clip them over the roof.

It got so bad in certain places because they are protected, that they allowed hunters to go in a hunt them for a week. Didn't have a problem for a while with it.

They just stand there and look at you in the road....