Government Raises Kangaroo Kill Quota

Animal rights groups criticized Australia's decision to let farmers kill 6.9 million kangaroos this year, up from 5.5 million last year.

An Environment Ministry official said the new quota was based on advice from the ministry and an independent scientific committee.

Farmers obtain licenses to kill kangaroos to prevent damage to plants. But animal rights groups say the kills provide meat for pet food.

The population of the four most common species of kangaroo is estimated to top 50 million.