End The Slaughter: Critical Bill Introduced To Ban U.S. Sales Of Kangaroo Leather Products

Yesterday, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced groundbreaking legislation aimed at protecting the estimated two million wild kangaroos that are killed each year for their leather, commonly known as “k-leather.”

The commercial slaughter of kangaroos, currently the largest killing of mammals for their skin worldwide, is driven by demand for kangaroo leather in the production of soccer cleats and other products. The Kangaroo Protection Act seeks to end this inhumane practice by banning the sale and manufacture of goods made from kangaroo skin in the United States, as well as prohibiting the sale of the skin itself.

To enforce this ban, the legislation would empower the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with other federal agencies, to impose civil and criminal penalties, including fines of up to $10,000, and develop additional regulations to safeguard kangaroos.

The commercial slaughter for kangaroo skin is not only widespread, but also shockingly cruel. The methods used to kill kangaroos are similar to those in the infamous Canadian seal hunt, yet the kangaroo industry is ten times larger. While the U.S. banned the import of seal pelts in 1972 in response to widespread public outrage over the seal hunt, the country remains the second-largest commercial market for k-leather products globally.

“The mass killing of millions of kangaroos to make commercial products is needless and inhumane—and we must do better,” said Senator Duckworth. “I’m proud to introduce this bill with Senator Booker, which would help prevent the deadly exploitation of kangaroos and promote the use of more humane alternatives to k-leather.”

A similar version of the Kangaroo Protection Act was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2021, with 17 co-signers and strong bipartisan support. With the introduction of this new Senate bill, animal welfare advocates are hopeful for a turning point in the fight to end the use of kangaroo leather in commercial products.

Kangaroos, an iconic symbol of Australia’s unique wildlife, are being killed at alarming rates for commercial profit. This practice threatens not only individual animals but also the species as a whole. The demand for k-leather products, especially high-end soccer cleats, is driving an industry that inflicts needless suffering on millions of kangaroos every year.

“We must take action to conserve the kangaroo species and end their inhumane exploitation,” said Senator Booker. “This legislation will ensure that no one in the United States can distribute kangaroo products for commercial gain.”

The proposed Kangaroo Protection Act represents a critical step toward reducing the global demand for k-leather and setting a precedent for other nations to follow. Advocates hope the legislation will encourage manufacturers to adopt cruelty-free alternatives and reduce the pressure on wild kangaroo populations.

With increasing awareness and bipartisan support, the momentum to protect kangaroos from this brutal industry is stronger than ever. Over 150 organizations are backing this critical legislation.

The text of the bill is available on Senator Duckworth’s HERE!