Living with kangaroos and wallabies
Kangaroos and wallabies are an important part of local wildlife and generally live harmoniously within our community. At times (particularly around breeding season) these animals come into conflict with residents and there are recent instances of attacks by kangaroos or wallabies on residents of our region.
Below are some tips on how negative interaction with these animals can be avoided
It is important to know how you should behave around kangaroos and wallabies. The following information can help to make living near kangaroos and wallabies a safer and more fascinating experience.
Enjoy your kangaroos or wallabies - but from a distance
If you enter an area where kangaroos or wallabies live, give them as much space as possible. If you see one, stay away from it and watch how it behaves. If it moves toward you or shows signs of being aggressive, move away (even if it is only looking for food or human contact, a kangaroo or wallaby may still become aggressive). Don't act aggressively towards the kangaroo or wallaby, as this will simply reinforce the idea that you are a threat.
Dangerous situations may also arise where kangaroos and wallabies move into backyards or onto private property to feed. These can be avoided by fencing and removing sources of food or water that are attracting them.
Get to know your local mob
By watching the animals that live near you, you can learn to identify individuals by their appearance (e.g. size, sex, notches on their ears) and even give them names. You will also start to work out the relationships between individuals (e.g. who the dominant male is) and be able to follow the birth and growth of each new generation of joeys.
To feed or not to feed
The simple answer here is: don't feed. Feeding brings kangaroos and wallabies into close contact with people, creating potentially dangerous situations. Exposing them to an artificial diet may also cause health problems and create unnatural concentrations of animals.
And if a kangaroo or wallaby becomes aggressive
If you are approached by an aggressive kangaroo or wallaby you should keep it at a safe distance so that it can't kick or scratch. For example, hold up a stick or branch, or stay behind a fence or a tree. Move away from the animal as quickly as you can. Turning your back on it and running could be dangerous as a large male can easily outrun you and still kick at the same time. Turn side-on and protect the front of your body with your arms and keep your head as far away from the animal as possible to minimise the risk of being scratched on the face.
If it is a large male that has been displaying dominant behaviour, it may see you as a threat. Protect yourself and let the animal know you are not a threat by giving a short, deep cough, avoiding eye contact, and crouching down as you move away.
Females and smaller male animals are less likely to be aggressive but may approach if they are used to being fed or have had a lot of human contacts. Even though females are much smaller than males, they can scratch and kick and could pose a safety risk - particularly to small children.
As a last resort, if you can't escape an attacking kangaroo or wallaby, roll up into a ball on the ground with your arm covering your neck and call for help. Try to roll or crawl away to a safe place.
For more information, head to the Department of Environment and Science Kangaroos and wallabies webpage.