The Truth About Kangaroo Leather: Why We Must Act Now


If you’ve ever wondered where the leather in athletic shoes comes from, the answer might shock you. Every year, approximately 1.2 million adult kangaroos are shot and killed for their skins in Australia’s commercial hunting industry – their bodies sold for leather products and pet food. An estimated 400,000 joeys are also killed in the process. And the methods used are far from humane.


Undeniable Evidence of Cruelty

A powerful new documentary, Chasing Roo by acclaimed filmmaker Skye Fitzgerald, has exposed what animal welfare advocates have long suspected: Australia’s commercial kangaroo industry systematically violates even its own minimal humane standards. The film, now available on Amazon Prime, contains disturbing footage that directly contradicts the Australian government’s claims of humane treatment.

In one heartbreaking scene, a shooter cuts off the paws of a living kangaroo and hangs him on a truck, saying “We’ll keep going and we’ll gut him up later. We’ll let him die.” This brutality isn’t an isolated incident – it’s evidence of an industry built on cruelty and deception.


Warning: The video below contains graphic content that may be disturbing to viewers.


The footage speaks for itself. You’ll see a kangaroo, still alive, suspended from the back of a utility truck. His feet and paws have already been brutally removed, yet he struggles to lift himself in a desperate attempt to escape. This is the reality behind kangaroo leather products – not the humane, regulated industry the Australian government claims to oversee, but a nighttime slaughter characterized by unimaginable suffering. This single piece of evidence demolishes years of government assurances and industry propaganda. No code of practice, no matter how well-written, means anything without enforcement – and this video proves there is none.



Australia’s National Code of Practice requires kangaroos to be killed by a single shot to the head. Yet these unregulated nighttime shoots routinely fail to meet this standard, leaving animals to suffer agonising deaths. The treatment of joeys is equally appalling: young kangaroos found in their mothers’ pouches are supposed to be killed by decapitation or blows to the head, but shooters receive no training and often leave them to die slowly.


Why This Matters to You

The commercial slaughter of kangaroos occurs under the cover of darkness with no oversight or accountability. Kangaroo leather is exported globally and used in athletic shoes, particularly soccer cleats, making consumers around the world unwitting participants in this cruelty.

But there’s hope. Major athletic brands including Adidas, Nike, Puma, Diadora, and Sokito have already ended their use of kangaroo leather (k-leather) following advocacy campaigns. New Balance, ASICS, and Umbro have committed to phase k-leather out by 2025-26. These corporate victories prove that change is possible when consumers and companies refuse to support inhumane practices.


Legislation That Can End This Trade

In the United States, the bipartisan Kangaroo Protection Act (S. 2162 and H.R. 1992) would prohibit the sale or trade of kangaroo products. Led by Senators Tammy Duckworth and Cory Booker, along with Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick and Jan Schakowsky, this legislation would establish federal penalties for commercial activities involving kangaroo products.

“The mass killing of millions of kangaroos to make commercial products is needless and inhumane – and we must do better,” Senator Duckworth stated.

By cutting off access to one of the largest markets for kangaroo products, this U.S. legislation could significantly impact the Australian industry’s profitability and send a strong international message that this cruelty is unacceptable.

Meanwhile, the Australian government claims kangaroos have reached “pest” levels, yet shooters consistently fail to meet state-imposed killing quotas – evidence that populations aren’t actually abundant enough to sustain the current harvest rates.


What You Can Do

The momentum is building, but we need your voice. No matter where you are in the world, you can take action:

  • Choose cruelty-free alternatives when purchasing athletic shoes and other products – check labels and ask retailers about their sourcing
  • Watch and share “Chasing Roo” to spread awareness among your friends, family, and social networks
  • Support organizations like Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy working to end this trade
  • Contact your representatives (if you’re in the U.S.) and urge them to support the Kangaroo Protection Act
  • Speak out on social media and demand that brands commit to ending their use of kangaroo leather
  • For Australians: Contact your local, state, and federal representatives to demand stronger animal welfare protections and enforcement of existing codes

We have the evidence. We have the legislation. We have major corporations on our side. Now we need the political will to end America’s complicity in this cruel industry once and for all.

The United States should not be a market for products derived from the inhumane treatment of wildlife. It’s time to pass the Kangaroo Protection Act and ensure that kangaroos are protected, not turned into shoes.

To learn more about the Kangaroos Are Not Shoes campaign and how you can help: https://kangaroosarenotshoes.org/

To watch Chasing Roo: Home | ROO

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