How many kangaroos are around, sport

THE Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) will be conducting their biennial kangaroo population surveys across Victoria from September 5 to 30. The surveys are conducted from the air, meaning that helicopters will be flying at low altitudes and slow speeds to count kangaroos. Flights are carefully planned to avoid houses and livestock. These surveys help improve DEECA’s understanding of Victoria’s kangaroo population and help inform wildlife management decisions. Across the state, there are three different species of kangaroo: Red, Eastern Grey and Western Grey. The Eastern Grey kangaroo is common, found across most of Victoria, with a grey-brown coat and silver-grey chest. They can stand up to two metres tall and weigh up to 90 kilograms. Western Grey kangaroos are found in the north-west and western parts of Victoria, overlapping habitats with the Eastern Grey in some regions. They have a thicker, brownish-grey coat and darker grey-brown face. They are slightly smaller and stockier than Eastern Greys. The Red kangaroo is limited to the far north-west corner of Victoria, with males coated in brick-red fur, and females having a bluish-grey coat. They are the largest species of kangaroo. In the 2024 kangaroo population survey conducted by DEECA, statewide estimates predicted there were around 2.09 million Eastern Greys, 212,000 Western Greys, and 39,000 Red kangaroos. This made for a total kangaroo population of around 2.34 million roos, down from an estimated 2.41 million in 2022. The survey broke down estimated kangaroo populations by region, with Hume estimated to have 771,000 Eastern Grey kangaroos in 2024 and no Western Greys. Kangaroos, along with all native wildlife, are protected in Victoria under the Wildlife Act 1975. While kangaroos are a protected species in Victoria, there are situations where they can cause damage and negatively affect farmers, regional communities and biodiversity, leading to DEECA undertaking population control. Kangaroo Management Plans (KMP) are developed to address risks when kangaroos are impacted by urban development, becoming displaced or landlocked. Kangaroos are strongly attached to their home range and are reluctant to vacate an area. This can become problematic when land within their home range is subject to development, and they need to disperse to other adjacent areas. While kangaroos may use the nearby areas, it is uncommon for kangaroos to move entirely out of their home range, even when development is occurring. This can result in kangaroos becoming landlocked, trapped on all sides by development, etcetera. Displacement and landlocking of kangaroos can cause adverse animal welfare and human safety issues. These can include: Traffic accidents; damage to pasture, crops, gardens and fences caused by kangaroos; negative impact on vulnerable native vegetation or areas undergoing revegetation due to kangaroo grazing; competition for grazing with livestock on farming properties; kangaroos becoming aggressive towards people, usually when individual animals have regular contact with humans. DEECA can issue Authorities to Control Wildlife (ATCW) under section 28A of the Wildlife Act 1975 for the control of kangaroos where they are demonstrated to be damaging pasture, crops or other property or impacting on biodiversity values. Any person wishing to control wildlife, including kangaroos, on their property is required to apply for an ATCW. Management techniques for kangaroo populations include fertility control, fencing, scaring and culling. To apply for an ATCW, visit vic.gov.au/wildlife-management-and-control-authorisations Chronic phalaris toxicity is also majorly affecting Victoria’s kangaroo population. Kangaroos can develop chronic phalaris toxicity, or ‘staggers’, as it is commonly referred to, which causes neurological damage in animals that have eaten Phalaris grasses (also known as canary grass). Phalaris is a common pasture crop that when grown under certain conditions can be toxic to animals that graze on it. Symptoms commonly seen in kangaroos that have chronic phalaris toxicity poisoning include muscle tremors and abnormal or erratic movement, such as repeated falling over, giving the appearance that the kangaroo is drunk or staggering. Currently there is no known treatment for this condition in wildlife and unfortunately animals severely affected often require euthanasia or humane killing for animal welfare reasons. If you suspect a kangaroo with chronic phalaris toxicity poisoning, please contact your local vet or a wildlife rescue organization. For further information about the kangaroo population survey, contact DEECA’s Customer Contact Centre on 131 186.