Is kangaroo leather farmed?

No. Kangaroos are not farmed. Commercial kangaroo leather comes from wild kangaroos harvested in Australia under state management plans with yearly quotas, approved by the Australian government.

Which kangaroos are harvested?

Only a few abundant species can be harvested commercially. In New South Wales, for example, the plan covers the red kangaroo, the eastern grey kangaroo, the western grey kangaroo and the common wallaroo. Each state sets its own list and quotas.

Is it legal to sell kangaroo leather in the United States?

It can be sold in most of the United States. California prohibits selling kangaroo products under Penal Code section 653o, so Shizuka does not sell or ship there.

Which tannery does Shizuka use?

We are choosing our tannery and glove maker now. When production begins, we will name both on this page and list any certifications they hold.

Kangaroo leather sourcing: where our leather comes from

Kangaroo leather is unusual: it comes from one country, from wild animals, under quotas set by the government. Here is how that works, why some people object to it, and what we will publish about our own supply chain.

Where kangaroo leather comes from

All commercial kangaroo leather comes from Australia. Kangaroos are not farmed. They are wild animals, and a share of the population of a few abundant species is harvested each year for meat and leather, both for Australia and for export.

How the harvest is regulated

State management plans. Each state that allows a commercial harvest runs it under a management plan approved by the Australian government. The plan sets which species can be taken and a quota for each region.
Approved species. In New South Wales, for example, the current plan covers the red kangaroo, the eastern grey kangaroo, the western grey kangaroo and the common wallaroo.
A national code of practice. Licensed harvesters must follow the National Code of Practice for the Humane Shooting of Kangaroos and Wallabies for Commercial Purposes. Its second edition was published in 2020 after an independent review.
Federal export approval. Exporting kangaroo products requires approval from the Australian government under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

How a skin becomes glove leather

After the harvest, skins are preserved and sent to a tannery. Tanning turns the raw skin into stable leather that won't rot, and makes it soft and even. The leather is then dyed, finished, graded and cut. Glove palms need thin, even leather without marks, so only part of each skin is suitable for a palm.

Why kangaroo leather is controversial

Some animal welfare groups campaign against the kangaroo leather trade, and California bans the sale of kangaroo products. We think customers should know that before they buy. We chose kangaroo leather because it makes a better glove palm, and because the harvest is regulated and quota-managed by the Australian government. We follow California law and don't sell or ship there.

Our tannery and glove maker

We are choosing our tannery and glove maker now. When production begins, we will name both here, list any certifications they hold, and add photos of the leather and of the gloves being made. If you have a question about our sourcing before then, email us and we'll answer it.

To see how the leather performs in a glove, read our guide to kangaroo leather golf gloves.

Kangaroo leather sourcing