Our bouncy hero

Here's yet another reason (as if one was needed) to like kangaroos:

Australian scientists are trying to give kangaroo-style stomachs to cattle and sheep in a bid to cut the emission of greenhouse gases blamed for global warming, researchers say.

Thanks to special bacteria in their stomachs, kangaroo flatulence contains no methane and scientists want to transfer that bacteria to cattle and sheep who emit large quantities of the harmful gas.

And that's not the only benefit, as a senior flatulologist tells us:

Researchers say the bacteria also makes the digestive process much more efficient and could potentially save millions of dollars in feed costs for farmers.

"Not only would they not produce the methane, they would actually get something like 10 to 15 per cent more energy out of the feed they are eating,'' said Mr Klieve.

But things do take a dark turn near the end of the article:

Another group of scientists, meanwhile, has suggested Australians should farm fewer cattle and sheep and just eat more kangaroos.

There's no speculation as to what effect this last suggestion might have on the chemical makeup of the average Australian's emissions, though.

Comments

[Jonathan Versen]

that's despicable-- next thing they'll teach the cows to box!