Each year, millions of kangaroos are killed in what is widely regarded as the largest wildlife massacre on the planet. This includes around a million baby kangaroos (joeys) annually. Torn from their dying mothers’ pouches and stamped on, clubbed to death or left to die of starvation. They are the discarded “trash” of Australia’s new growth industry - kangaroo meat and skin. Seven million adult kangaroos will also be shot to supply world markets. The company most eagerly supporting this mass slaughter is Adidas, by heavily marketing its highly-priced, kangaroo-skin, Predator football boots around the world.

Adidas, one of the industry’s biggest customers, is a major driving force behind the industry - as are Nike, Puma and Umbro. As of 2011, all four still make boots made from kangaroo leather.

Australia’s government sees kangaroos as an export earner -justifying the massacre with well-rehearsed myths. Adidas, Nike, Puma and Umbro simply echo them, claiming that kangaroos destroy wheat crops and degrade grazing land. New scientific studies show that 90 per cent of wheat fields never see a kangaroo and they have little impact on grazing. Even worse, the big skins demanded by Adidas and other shoe makers already threatens the largest species of kangaroo - the red.

Targeting the biggest, fittest animals for their skin has the potential to cause extinction.The killing takes place at night in the outback and is unmonitored. Many are badly shot and are hauled on to trucks by steel hooks while still alive. It is the biggest massacre of land wildlife ever known.

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There are modern, hi-tec synthetic fabrics available which companies could switch to right now. By continuing to use kangaroo-skin, Adidas, Nike, Puma and Umbro are showing themselves to be devoid of compassion and ethics. Their kangaroo leather football boots are leaving a trail of blood in the outback.