Senators Tammy Duckworth and Cory Booker have reintroduced the Kangaroo Protection Act in the US Senate to ban the sale and manufacture of kangaroo skin products, known as k-leather, with fines up to $10000 for violations. Targeting the slaughter of 1 million kangaroos annually, the bill aims to end the US role as the world’s second-largest k-leather market, driven by demand for high-end soccer cleats. With major brands like Nike, Puma, and Adidas phasing out k-leather, the legislation could save 500000 marsupials yearly but faces hurdles in a divided Congress. Can this bill halt a $1 billion trade, or will industry pushback and political gridlock stall it?

The Bill’s Renewed Push

On June 25, 2025, Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) reintroduced the Kangaroo Protection Act (S.5118) to prohibit k-leather products and raw kangaroo skins in the US. The bill, identical to a House version (H.R.4995) led by Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) in March 2025, empowers the Secretary of Commerce to issue civil and criminal penalties, including $10000 fines and up to one year in prison. A 2024 Senate attempt died in committee, but growing corporate shifts, like Umbro’s 2026 k-leather exit, bolster momentum. Over 200 organizations, including Animal Wellness Action, back the bill.

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Why K-Leather Is Under Fire?

K-leather, prized for its strength in soccer cleats, fuels the largest commercial mammal slaughter globally, with 1 million kangaroos and 300000 joeys killed annually in Australia. Nighttime hunts using night-vision rifles leave joeys orphaned, often killed by blunt force under Australian law, sparking outrage. The US, importing $100 million in k-leather yearly, faces pressure as brands like Nike, Puma, Adidas, and Mizuno abandon it for synthetic alternatives that match performance. Australia’s kangaroo population has dropped 50% since 2001, raising conservation concerns. The bill draws parallels to the 1972 US seal pelt ban, citing similar cruelty.

How the Ban Would Work?

The Kangaroo Protection Act bans the import, sale, and manufacture of k-leather products, with enforcement by the Department of Commerce, alongside the Departments of Justice and Agriculture. Violators face $10000 fines per offense, potential imprisonment, and forfeiture of kangaroo products. The law targets the $1 billion global k-leather market, where the US accounts for 20% of demand. California’s existing ban, covering 10% of the US soccer market, sets a precedent. If passed, the bill could cut US imports by 90%, saving 400000 kangaroos annually, though enforcement costs could reach $50 million yearly.

Challenges to Passage

The bill faces a tough road in a Republican-led Senate, with only 20% of similar wildlife bills passing since 2020. Industry groups, representing $500 million in US sporting goods, may lobby against it, citing job losses in retail. Australia, exporting $800 million in k-leather, could retaliate with trade barriers, impacting $2 billion in US exports. Enforcement hinges on robust customs checks, but only 5% of US imports are inspected, risking loopholes. Public support is strong, with 70% of Americans favoring wildlife protections, but political polarization and 2026 midterms could delay action.

What’s Next for Kangaroo Protection?

If passed by 2026, the ban could slash k-leather imports by 80%, aligning with corporate shifts as all major athletic brands exit the trade. The House bill, with bipartisan support from 17 co-sponsors, may advance faster, but Senate approval requires 60 votes, a high bar. Animal Wellness Action’s Kangaroos Are Not Shoes campaign, reducing Australia’s kill from 1.7 million to 1 million since 2020, plans to push state-level bans, targeting 10 states by 2027. Against 35.6 billion tonnes of global CO2e emissions, the bill’s environmental impact is minimal, but it could save 0.5% of Australia’s kangaroo population yearly.

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