Vegetarian Star

Bob Irwin, father of the late Steve Irwin known as the “Crocodile Hunter,” on Animal Planet, has recorded a message supporting Australia’s kangaroos at a recent fundraiser in Sydney.

According to the Australian Society for Kangaroos, the kangaroo industry killed approximately 3.6 million kangaroos in 2008 to export meat and supply skins to shoe companies in Europe, Asia and the United States.

The Society also cites recent data showing that in areas allowing commercial kangaroo hunting, the species is experiencing a “quasi-extinction,” (less than 5 per square kilometre), putting their numbers in jeopardy.

Irwin has spoken out against the industry before, when it was announced export to China would begin in 2010.

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The late Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin‘s father, Bob Irwin, is asking China not to import kangaroo meat, as the industry is endangering the animal.

Russia has already banned kangaroo meat imports, and now Australia is looking to Asian countries to export the product, and is expected to start supplying China in the first part of 2010.

“Our kangaroos are in a position at the moment where you would describe their numbers as critical, I believe,” Bob Irwin said. “We are just trying to get the message across to China that it is definitely not necessary to eat kangaroo meat. It is unhygienic for a start and we would not eat their pandas, mate, so why should they eat our kangaroos?”

It is estimated there are 25 million kangaroos across Australia, but some conservationists argue that numbers are far lower.

via voanews.com

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The Animal Planet television series, “Whale Wars,” premiered on November 7, 2008. If you’re looking to watch a vegan, eco-pirate show, this may for you.

The heavily Hayden Panettiere promoted show stars Captain Paul Watson, who founded the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. He and his crew on the boat named “Steve Irwin” after the late crocodile hunter, attempt to non-violently stop Japanese ships from hunting whales that are to be later used in research purposes.

The crew is fed three vegan meals every day, as was revealed in the introductory episode. No word on if every one on board is completely vegan or if the Captain just has some strict rules about what happens on his boat.

Some of the tactics the crew uses to deter the whale hunters are throwing stink bombs filled with rancid butter on the ships.

And this is not your typical peaceful protest. In one episode, Watson was allegedly shot, but was protected by his bulletproof vest.

Is this Whale Wars or Cops?

It will be interesting to see if veganism comes up in future episodes between shoot ’em up moments with the hunters.

via Animal Person

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