We have been implementing numerous measures for years to stem the extermination of kangaroos in Australia.
Filmmakers Mick McIntyre and Kate Clere McIntyre contacted LAV to help them bring the documentary Kangaroo: a Love-Hate Story to Italy and thus begin raising awareness among citizens, businesses, and institutions about Italy's role in the kangaroo slaughter in Australia.
LAV begins studying the issue, gathering information and dossiers produced in Australia, and data on the kangaroo leather and meat trade. Italy is the leading EU country for kangaroo skin imports (used primarily to produce football boots and motorcycle suits, but also for luxury footwear), while Italy is not a leading country for kangaroo meat imports (this supply chain is more important in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and France). LAV starts private contacts with several companies to highlight the critical issues in the kangaroo leather supply chain.
(Sep 30th) In a speech at a panel on Fashion Sustainability at the Corporate Social Responsibility Fair (Bocconi University, Milan), LAV announces the launch of the #SalvaCanguri (Save Kangaroos) campaign, publishing the report "Complici del più grande e cruento massacro di animali selvatici del pianeta”.
(Oct 1st) Launch of the #SalvaCanguri campaign on national TV news “TG1” at 8:00 PM (with approximately 5 million viewers).
(Oct 8th)
At the Palazzo del Cinema in Milan, LAV hosts the premiere of the
documentary Kangaroo: A Love-Hate Story. Filmmakers Mick McIntyre and
Kate Clere McIntyre are present.
(Oct 30th)
First victory of the #SalvaCanguri campaign – DIADORA announces the discontinuation of
kangaroo leather football boots (branded by the former Italian player Roberto Baggio).
(Nov 27th)
Pro_Life, an Italian pet food brand, announces the discontinuation of its
kangaroo meat line.
(Dec 19th) LAV files the first bill (C.2297) to introduce in Italy a ban on importing and tradinig of products derived from commercial kangaroo hunting (signed by Hon. Patrizia Prestipino, Democratic Party).
(Jan 8th) While Italy is in the middle of winter, Australia is ravaged by the bushfires that devastate vast swathes of land every summer. Summer 2020 was the most devastating ever: 50% of New South Wales's forests and woodlands were destroyed, and estimates indicate no fewer than 1 billion wild animals died. In this context, LAV has sent an appeal to the Australian Ambassador to Italy to stop the commercial hunting of kangaroos, and we have released a video appeal shot directly in the midst of the fires.
(Jan) We're spreading a strong awareness and information appeal via social media video spots.
(Jan) LAV commissioned tests to measure the technical performance (abrasion and tear resistance) of a synthetic material that could be used in place of kangaroo leather. The benchmarks used were the performance limits required by the International Motorcycling Federation for the approval of suits worn by MotoGP riders. The tests demonstrated that alternative materials with the same safety performance as kangaroo leather are already available. The test findings are available in the report published by Eurogroup for Animals.
(January 13) VERSACE announces the discontinuation of kangaroo leather production, and the news will spread around the world!
(August 9) PRADA announces the discontinuation of kangaroo leather production.
(October 19) FERRAGAMO announces the discontinuation of kangaroo leather production.
The Kangaroo Task Force is formed, an informal alliance between LAV and other NGOs, including: Kangaroos Alive (a newly formed Australian NGO founded by filmmakers Mick McIntyre and Kate Clere McIntyre), Voiceless, GAIA Belgium, World Animal Protection (Netherlands), Fondation Brigitte Bardot (France), Pro-Wildlife (Germany), Eurogroup for Animals (EU), and the Center for Humane Economy (USA).
(May) Our unheard attempts at dialogue with the Italian company LOTTO Sport become a public awareness campaign, with a powerful video ad.
(May-July) UEFA EURO 2020 competition, we appeal to the Azzurri to refrain from wearing kangaroo leather boots during matches.
(April) LAV launches petition (No. 391) addressed to the European Parliament, calling for an EU ban on the import and trade of products derived from commercial kangaroo hunting.
(October 24) On World Kangaroo Day, LAV takes a hearing at the European Parliament, Committee on Petitions, Brussels (starting at 15:59).
(March 7) PUMA announces the discontinuation of kangaroo leather production.
(March 7) LAV files second bill (C.961) to introduce in Italy a ban on the import and trade of products derived from commercial kangaroo hunting (signed by Hon. Eleonora Evi, Green Party, and other majority and opposition signatories).
(March 14) NIKE announces the discontinuation of kangaroo leather production.
(October 24) On World Kangaroo Day, we're publishing the survey conducted in Australia, which shows that Australians are opposed to commercial kangaroo hunting.
(January) ZEGNA discontinues kangaroo leather production.
(October) As part of our World Kangaroo Day activities, we organized a European institutional tour of a special Australian delegation, including representatives of the Aboriginal community (for whom the kangaroo is a sacred animal).
The first stop was Rome on October 16, with a press conference in the Press Room of the Chamber of Deputies (with remarks by the Hon. Evi, two representatives of the Aboriginal community, filmmaker Mick McIntyre, and former New South Wales MP Mark Pearson). The delegation continued its tour at other stops in Belgium's regional parliaments (in the regions of Brussels, Wallonia, and Flanders) and in The Hague at the Dutch Parliament, before concluding on October 24, World Kangaroo Day, at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Video testimonies were provided at the LAV headquarters by Aboriginal representatives: Peter Hewitt, Jerrinja Yuin, and Ricky Buchanan, Gumbaynggirr.
(October 24) World Kangaroo Day, Strasbourg, the last stop on the Australian delegation's institutional relations program. We met with MEPs from the Delegation for Relations with Australia. During these initiatives, we published a new survey demonstrating that Italian consumers also support a ban on the import and trade of kangaroo products.
Pictured with MEP Carolina Morace, a former successful soccer player for the women's national team, a coach, and a sports commentator.
(November 28) DECATHLON announces the discontinuation of kangaroo leather production.
(All year) We are financially supporting the vital work of Wildlife Cares in South Australia, which operates on the front lines of rescue operations, literally saving the lives of injured adult kangaroos and orphaned young kangaroos.
(March) We participated in the first Parliamentary Inquiry convened in the State of South Australia to investigate the sustainability of kangaroo hunting, submitting our analyses and comments, and submitting our application for a hearing.
(May) Another historic milestone for our international #savecangui campaign.
(May) ASICS also says no to kangaroo leather! Another historic milestone for our international #savekangaroo campaign.
UMBRO bans k-leather
(July) UMBRO also says no to kangaroo skin! Another historic milestone for our international #salvacanguri campaign.