Justin Kershwell, Viva! Campaigner, writes from Bristol to tell us that "Official Australian government figures show that there are now 33 million fewer kangaroos in the areas used for commercial hunting than just seven years ago – a drop of 57%. (Spare kangaroos, Your Views, August 14).

So by my maths, there must have been well over 66 million kangaroos just in the areas used for commercial hunting in 2001.

Strange then that he should also say that their population is in crisis and could spell disaster for them.

Even stranger that in 2002 farmers were warning that 'roo numbers had nearly doubled in just one year while animal rights activists were complaining that estimated numbers has been wildly inflated, nobody had done an independent study and that estimates varied from from 15 million up to 60 million.

So it seems the wildest "estimates" were actually wild underestimates, and the damage being done, not only to the environment, but to really endangered species, by the explosion in 'roo numbers to pest proportions, is far, far worse than officially recognised.

I want to do my bit for the environment and poor ickle endangered animals. Where can I get me a Skippy steak then?

BJ MANN Valley Road, Nottingham