Supermarket brings back $122 product, putting shoppers at risk
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If you thought the debate over kangaroo products in Australia was settled, think again.
In a move that’s left animal advocates fuming and shoppers scratching their heads, BIG W has quietly reintroduced kangaroo hides for sale on its website—despite previously vowing to pull them from shelves after a wave of public backlash.
The saga began last year when BIG W, owned by the Woolworths Group, faced intense criticism for selling kangaroo pelts.
Responding to customer outrage and animal welfare concerns, the retailer announced it would stop selling the products, stating:
‘In response to customer feedback and sentiment, we can confirm we have not sold any of this product and removed it from sale.’
But this week, eagle-eyed shoppers noticed that extra-large and small kangaroo hides—priced at $122.95 and $79.95 respectively—had quietly reappeared online.
The move has reignited the debate over the ethics and sustainability of kangaroo products, with many questioning why the retailer would backflip on its earlier promise.
Animal welfare groups were quick to condemn the decision. Alyssa Wormald, founder of the Victorian Kangaroo Alliance, didn’t mince words:
‘It is appallingly underhanded that they reintroduced the skins at some point when they felt they were no longer under scrutiny,’ she said.
Wormald also pointed out that BIG W continues to offer a range of other kangaroo-derived products, including meat, leather accessories, and even so-called ‘novelty’ items like kangaroo scrotum coin pouches.
For many Australians, kangaroos are a national symbol—gracing our coat of arms, coins, and even our sporting teams’ mascots.
The idea of turning them into rugs or trinkets is, understandably, confronting for some.
It’s worth noting that these controversial products were only available online and through third-party sellers—not in BIG W’s physical stores.
This distinction, however, did little to quell the outrage.
When pressed for comment by the media, Woolworths Group did not respond before the pelts were once again removed from the website.
Other kangaroo products, such as pet food and ‘genuine kangaroo scrotums’, remained available.
The kangaroo industry is a uniquely Australian one, and it’s not without its defenders.
Industry advocates argue that kangaroo leather is more sustainable than traditional livestock farming, as kangaroos are native animals whose soft feet are less damaging to Australia’s fragile soils than sheep and cattle's cloven hooves.
They also point out that kangaroo harvesting is regulated and that shooters are trained to minimise animal suffering.
However, wildlife advocates have raised serious concerns about the lack of oversight in the industry.
Kangaroos are typically shot at night in the wild, and there are disturbing reports about the fate of joeys—baby kangaroos—whose mothers are killed.
According to animal welfare groups, these joeys are often bludgeoned to death and discarded, a practice that has horrified many Australians.
The controversy isn’t limited to Australia. Internationally, there’s been a growing movement against the use of kangaroo leather.
Major sportswear brands—including Nike, Puma, New Balance, Adidas, and Asics—have all announced they will no longer use kangaroo leather in their products.
In fact, kangaroo products are outright banned in California, and animal welfare organisations in the US have been campaigning for years to see more companies follow suit.
Despite the backlash, kangaroo products remain widely available in Australia. Kangaroo meat is sold as a cheap source of protein for both humans and pets, and the sale of skins is a valuable part of the industry.
For some, these products are a sustainable and uniquely Australian resource; for others, they’re a symbol of animal cruelty and commercial exploitation.
Suppose you’re shopping online, especially at major retailers like BIG W. In that case, it’s worth being aware that third-party sellers may list some products and may not reflect the values or promises of the retailer itself.
Suppose you have concerns about animal welfare or the origins of certain products. In that case, it’s always a good idea to check the fine print and, if in doubt, contact customer service for clarification.
This incident is a reminder that consumer feedback can make a difference. BIG W’s initial decision to remove kangaroo pelts was in direct response to public outcry.
If you feel strongly about the products being sold by your favourite retailers, don’t hesitate to make your voice heard—whether that’s through feedback forms, social media, or by supporting businesses that align with your values.
In other news, BIG W removed kangaroo skin rugs from its online store last year after customer feedback and public sentiment labelled the products controversial.
The move followed concern from wildlife rescuers and the broader community, with some carers protecting the very animals used for the rugs. You can read more about it here.
Do you think kangaroo products should be available for sale in Australia? Have you ever bought kangaroo meat, leather, or other products? Or do you think it’s time for retailers to stop selling items made from our national icon? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
In a move that’s left animal advocates fuming and shoppers scratching their heads, BIG W has quietly reintroduced kangaroo hides for sale on its website—despite previously vowing to pull them from shelves after a wave of public backlash.
The saga began last year when BIG W, owned by the Woolworths Group, faced intense criticism for selling kangaroo pelts.
Responding to customer outrage and animal welfare concerns, the retailer announced it would stop selling the products, stating:
‘In response to customer feedback and sentiment, we can confirm we have not sold any of this product and removed it from sale.’
Kangaroo hides were quietly reintroduced for sale online by BIG W, despite earlier removal after backlash and a promise to stop offering them. Credit: Pexels
But this week, eagle-eyed shoppers noticed that extra-large and small kangaroo hides—priced at $122.95 and $79.95 respectively—had quietly reappeared online.
The move has reignited the debate over the ethics and sustainability of kangaroo products, with many questioning why the retailer would backflip on its earlier promise.
Animal welfare groups were quick to condemn the decision. Alyssa Wormald, founder of the Victorian Kangaroo Alliance, didn’t mince words:
‘It is appallingly underhanded that they reintroduced the skins at some point when they felt they were no longer under scrutiny,’ she said.
Wormald also pointed out that BIG W continues to offer a range of other kangaroo-derived products, including meat, leather accessories, and even so-called ‘novelty’ items like kangaroo scrotum coin pouches.
For many Australians, kangaroos are a national symbol—gracing our coat of arms, coins, and even our sporting teams’ mascots.
The idea of turning them into rugs or trinkets is, understandably, confronting for some.
It’s worth noting that these controversial products were only available online and through third-party sellers—not in BIG W’s physical stores.
This distinction, however, did little to quell the outrage.
When pressed for comment by the media, Woolworths Group did not respond before the pelts were once again removed from the website.
The kangaroo industry is a uniquely Australian one, and it’s not without its defenders.
Industry advocates argue that kangaroo leather is more sustainable than traditional livestock farming, as kangaroos are native animals whose soft feet are less damaging to Australia’s fragile soils than sheep and cattle's cloven hooves.
They also point out that kangaroo harvesting is regulated and that shooters are trained to minimise animal suffering.
However, wildlife advocates have raised serious concerns about the lack of oversight in the industry.
Kangaroos are typically shot at night in the wild, and there are disturbing reports about the fate of joeys—baby kangaroos—whose mothers are killed.
The controversy isn’t limited to Australia. Internationally, there’s been a growing movement against the use of kangaroo leather.
Major sportswear brands—including Nike, Puma, New Balance, Adidas, and Asics—have all announced they will no longer use kangaroo leather in their products.
In fact, kangaroo products are outright banned in California, and animal welfare organisations in the US have been campaigning for years to see more companies follow suit.
Despite the backlash, kangaroo products remain widely available in Australia. Kangaroo meat is sold as a cheap source of protein for both humans and pets, and the sale of skins is a valuable part of the industry.
Suppose you’re shopping online, especially at major retailers like BIG W. In that case, it’s worth being aware that third-party sellers may list some products and may not reflect the values or promises of the retailer itself.
Suppose you have concerns about animal welfare or the origins of certain products. In that case, it’s always a good idea to check the fine print and, if in doubt, contact customer service for clarification.
This incident is a reminder that consumer feedback can make a difference. BIG W’s initial decision to remove kangaroo pelts was in direct response to public outcry.
If you feel strongly about the products being sold by your favourite retailers, don’t hesitate to make your voice heard—whether that’s through feedback forms, social media, or by supporting businesses that align with your values.
In other news, BIG W removed kangaroo skin rugs from its online store last year after customer feedback and public sentiment labelled the products controversial.
The move followed concern from wildlife rescuers and the broader community, with some carers protecting the very animals used for the rugs. You can read more about it here.
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