Paul McCartney has joined the protest against a planned cull of kangaroos at the Belconnen Naval Transmission Station in Canberra this week.

In a message distributed by animal activist group Viva - who have launched a European-based protest - the former Beatle condemned the plan as inhumane.

"There is an urgent need for action to protect kangaroos from a barbaric industry which slaughters them for meat and leather," he said in the message.

"Please do all you can to help Viva! end this shameful massacre."

The Department of Defence is carrying out the cull after being blocked from transferring the kangaroos interstate: the Department of Territory and Municipal Services refused to grant the export permits necessary.

Viva campaigns manager Justin Kerswell has urged the ACT government to overturn that decision.

"So they can be taken to a new home, so they don’t have to be slaughtered cruelly and unnecessarily," he said.

Animal welfare group Wildcare meanwhile have disputed a report published by the government that suggests translocation would not be the most humane option.

A spokesperson said moving the kangaroos would be an appropriate action.

“The decision not to allow translocation is by no means a quicker and more humane option as stated by the ACT government," the group said in a statement.

"This is not a cull using guns. The two options are darting and killing by lethal injection, or darting and transfer to another area for release. In both instances, the kangaroos have to be darted first, so why not give them a chance somewhere else."

“Translocation is possible in the case of Belconnen because there are experienced handlers available, there is suitable land to move the animals to, and in the last few years there have been great strides forward made in dealing with the effects of capture myopathy."

"Small scales translocations are carried out throughout Australia all the time.”

The ACT government for its part has attacked the anti-cull campaign, tourism minister Andrew Barr saying tourism operators will be unfairly and adversely affected by the protests.