May 9, 2003 — Animal rights groups protested Thursday at a shareholder meeting of German sports manufacturer Adidas-Salomon, accusing the company of sponsoring kangaroo culls in Australia to make football boots.

According to British animal rights group Viva!, millions of kangaroos are culled each year and sportswear companies are amongst those taking advantage.

"The number one supporters of this barbaric trade are sports shoe manufacturers, who purchase the skins and turn them into football boots," it said.

"Adidas, one of the industry's biggest customers, is a major driving force behind the industry."

Adidas rejected the accusations. "Our work in the social and environmental sectors is recognized by independent institutions, consumers and non-governmental organizations," a spokesman said.

Viva! claims that British football star David Beckham is paid by Adidas to wear boots with studs made from kangaroos.

Kangaroos, a symbol of Australia, have few natural predators and thrive in pestilential proportions. Authorities are forced to cull hundreds of thousands each year to try to keep the numbers down.

More Information
Name: Red Kangaroo (Macropus rufus)
Primary Classification: Macropodidae (Kangaroos and Wallabies)
Location: Australia
Habitat: Arid grassland and shrubby steppes.
Diet: Succulent grass, shoots, herbs and leaves.
Size: Up to 5 ft in length and 176 lbs in weight.
Description: Reddish (males) or blue-gray (females) in color; white fur on belly; narrow head; long nose; long, oval ears; strong teeth; long, strong hindlegs; short, weaker forelimbs; long, furry tail
Cool Facts: They are the largest living marsupials in the world. They can make jumps almost 30 feet long and eight feet high.
Conservation Status: Common