Kangaroo Vs. Human Boxing Matches — Why Did They Stop?
Hint: it wasn’t because of animal rights activists
When I was a kid, I remember seeing many cartoons in which kangaroos pummeled cocky humans with their big, red boxing gloves. I thought to myself, “this is the most Australian thing I have ever seen.”
As a matter of fact, the boxing kangaroo really is a national symbol of Australia — commonly displayed during the Olympics and at other sporting events.
But why did the practice of humans sparring with kangaroos become a thing in the first place? And why did it end?
Entrepreneurs Viewed Kangaroos as Money-Makers
Before the British landed on Australian shores and thought, “Look at all these funny-looking animals. They seem safe. We should colonize this,” the aborigines ruled those lands.
And they thought of kangaroos in only two ways. The first was spiritual, in that roos were one with nature and therefore part of the same oneness as all living things. The second way was physical, as kangaroos apparently made for tasty, protein-rich snacks and their hides could be used to make waterproof pouches.
But when the Brits arrived, they looked at these creatures from the perspectives of…
