Kangaroo Farts

---

AUSTRALIAN scientists are trying to give kangaroo-style stomachs to cattle and sheep in a bid to cut the emission of greenhouse gases blamed for global warming, researchers say.Thanks to special bacteria in their stomachs, kangaroo flatulence contains no methane and scientists want to transfer that bacteria to cattle and sheep who emit large quantities of the harmful gas. While the usual image of greenhouse gas pollution is a billowing smokestack pushing out carbon dioxide, livestock passing wind contribute a surprisingly high percentage of total emissions in some countries. "Fourteen per cent of emissions from all sources in Australia is from enteric methane from cattle and sheep,'' said Athol Klieve, a senior research scientist with the Queensland Government. "And if you look at another country such as New Zealand, which has got a much higher agricultural base, they're actually up around 50 per cent,'' he said.Researchers say the bacteria also makes the digestive process much more efficient and could potentially save millions of dollars in feed costs for farmers. "Not only would they not produce the methane, they would actually get something like 10 to 15 per cent more energy out of the feed they are eating,'' said Mr Klieve. Even farmers who laugh at the idea of environmentally friendly kangaroo farts say that's nothing to joke about, particularly given the devastating drought Australia is suffering. "In a tight year like a drought situation, 15 per cent would be a considerable sum,'' said farmer Michael Mitton. But it will take researchers at least three years to isolate the bacteria, before they can even start to develop a way of transferring it to cattle and sheep. Another group of scientists, meanwhile, has suggested Australians should farm fewer cattle and sheep and just eat more kangaroos. The idea is controversial, but about 20 per cent of health-conscious Australians are believed to eat the national symbol already. "It's low in fat, it's got high protein levels it's very clean in the sense that basically it's the ultimate free range animal,'' said Peter Ampt of the University of New South Wales's institute of environmental studies. "It doesn't get drenched, it doesn't get vaccinated, it utilises food right across the landscape, it moves around to where the food is good, so yes, it's a good food.'' It might take a while for kangaroos to become popular barbecue fare, but with concern over global warming growing in the world's driest inhabited continent, Australians could soon be ready to try almost anything to cut emissions. Article found Here

Eating kangaroos... wtf

Why not? They eat dogs in Asia.

That also deserves a wtf

There's a common belief in the US that kangaroos are endangered. While this is true of some species, the Common Grey has the opposite problem, that more breed than the available grazing can sustain.

I personally have never heard that belief/rumor.Have you ever eaten kangaroo, pete?

Many diffrent countries eat all kinds of animals I wouldn't even think of eating myself, but's a diffrent culture so who am I to say it's wrong?

Many people eat horse meat in diffrent parts of the world... I personally wouldn't like to, but thats because I was raised as horses being 'work' animals and not 'food.' And before someone jumps up and says "Well we wouldn't even think of cruelly slaughtering and eating our precious pony" well good for you, but that's because you weren't raised to think of them as food. To me personally, I don't see the diffrence between them and cows, or goats, or deers, or rabbits, or buffallo, or chicken, or fish or any other kind of animal you can eat. They can all be a 'pet,' or have a name, and they can all taste good with gravy too, it just depends on where you're from and how you're raised.

Yes, once. It's expensive at present, though.

I guess you're enttiled to your opinion, as am I