On Tuesday 26 October 2010, Australian Wildlife Services met with members and prospective members of the Maranoa Kangaroo Harvesters and Growers Co-operative (MKHGC) in Mitchell, QLD. The group included landholders running various operations, Landcare members, Roo harvesters, QLD game meat processors, Government and NRM body representatives and the media. Discussions were also held with reps of the University of Queensland, Gatton Campus. MKHGC is a ‘Sustainable Wildlife Enterprise’ (SWE). A SWE is a commercial business based on conservation through sustainable use and collaborating across boundaries. It seeks to generate incentives for landholders, harvesters, meat processors and tourism businesses including financial incentives, improved land management and resilience, improved soil health, biodiversity values, carbon and biodiversity credits and market opportunities. By better management and training, quality assurances and product tracing, landholders and harvestors collaborate to produce a higher value product and increase margins for coop members, thus placing a value on the kangaroo (often seen as a pest) and management of ecosytems to support them. There are also signficant carbon market incentives for coop landholders. Opportunities and directions were discussed at the meeting.

Download the SWE summary for more information: Sustainable Wildlife Enterprises Summary (1740 downloads)

The SWE model can be applied Australia wide. Other regions interested in are encouraged to contact Australian Wildlife Services.