Animal Liberation ACT has condemned the ACT Government’s 2026 kangaroo cull, which will target 3633 eastern grey kangaroos across Canberra nature reserves.

The animal rights organisation says the total number of animals killed will be higher than the official figure because pouch young and dependent joeys affected by the cull are not included in the quota.

Animal Liberation ACT spokesperson Carolyn Drew said the group’s opposition was based on ethical concerns about the killing of native wildlife.

“Behind every cull statistic is an individual animal. Behind every quota is a kangaroo family,” Ms Drew said.

“The ACT Government’s killing program does not only target adult kangaroos. It results in mothers being shot, pouch young being killed, and dependent joeys losing the protection and care they need to survive.”

Ms Drew said activists would maintain a presence at reserves where the cull is being conducted, monitoring and documenting operations throughout the season.

“While the government prepares to kill thousands of kangaroos, we’ll be out there every night, waiting for them,” she said.

“We refuse to stand by while animals are gunned down in Canberra’s reserves. For as long as the government continues this killing program, activists will continue returning to Canberra’s reserves to oppose it.”

The group is encouraging members of the public concerned about the cull to participate in reserve monitoring activities and attend a rally outside the ACT Legislative Assembly on 10 June.

The ACT government conducts annual kangaroo management programs in selected reserves, arguing the culls are necessary to maintain ecological health and protect native grassland ecosystems. Animal Liberation ACT has been among the most vocal opponents of the program for more than a decade.

ACT nature reserves shut for kangaroo operations