NuffNang

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Living in the Country with Kangaroos

Living in the country has it's own hazards - we live a peaceful life, amongst the gum trees, a wonderful clear view of the 'burbs and the wildlife.

Heaven on earth one would say - until you have to deal with the Kangaroos. I know international tourists think they are cuddly and cute and that they can do no wrong.


I wish people would know the whole story before commenting. Roos from a distance 50m - are fine, but any closer than that and you could be harmed, possibly killed.

Some of these kangaroos can stand 8 foot tall in the old scale and the old males, who have been kicked out of the pack, will not stand down. They will stand their ground. Some nights we are unable to move about the property (within 5m of the front doorstep) because the big males are refusing to move, even when a piece of firewood is lobbed at them.


Last week - we received news of another dog being gutted and drowned by a roo in one of the local dams. This is the 4th instance that I know about in the last 12 months and the number of near fatalities are almost too numerous to be able to count. We aren't talking small dogs. We are talking Golden retrievers, Rhodesian Ridge Backs and the like.

They have blinded men and almost gutted several people in similar circumstances to us. They are dangerous and will not back off if approached.


So next time you see a Kangaroo, keep your distance and if you hear sounds like an old man clearing his throat, move away and put something solid between you and that Roo.

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Enjoy all of natures beauty!

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11 comments:

  1. Well, it is their country too.
    The stories of them 'gutting' or drowning dog is true, but only when the dogs have attacked them and its rare. Same goes for people.
    In order to do damage roos need to stand still and lean back on their tail, in order to be able to kick out with their feet. They can't do that if they're moving.
    They generally would prefer to leave rather than confront. Being herbivores they also need to eat most of the time and so will graze through the cooler part of the day - evening through early night.
    They really aren't that dangerous.

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  2. Thank you for the tip... I am just wondering on a trip to Australia some day, but not in the near future at least.. :O) Regards, Arturo

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  3. Very interesting. Is this a relatively recent phenomenon or not? Does it occur more in areas where urban sprawl reaches into their habitats? I haven't really heard of these incidents in rural NSW where they present more often as a menace to fences, new crops and country drivers.

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  4. Paul - I would love to agree with you - But I have to disagree :(
    Arturo - you'll be fine - when you come - it's pretty much common sense!
    BCKMPH-Yes, recent, mostly because of the drought situation, the roos are getting hard up for food, and they are more prepared to fight. Here they are a nuisance to fences, crops, vegetable patches, even fruit trees (we've lost $100's worth) as for cars, that is a risk you take and you just have to be aware of what is happening around you

    Here are some news articles - you make up your own minds - I know living with them - some nights I am unable to leave my house after dark, without resorting to throwing things at kangaroos to make them move :(

    www.sky.news.com
    www.heraldsun.com.au
    www.amazingaustralia.com.au

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  5. Every time I come here I discover something. I wish a roo would gut the pitt bull that gutted my little Jack Russell terrier last year! Thanks once again for the learning. P. :)

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  6. Oh:( I agree with you 110% - Poor baby - poor you :(
    I"m sorry to hear about that - JR's are one of the cutest little bugger in this universe.
    The only problem with them is the hair and it is a universal complaint I am told.
    You ready for a tree change yet or what?

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  7. I have always kept my distance because I am a big POME scaredy cat... Now you have justified my reasoning! I must add, though, that they still give me a thrill whilst bounding through my back garden!

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  8. Looking back and re-reading this post - I have made them out in a bad light. There are not all bad - I was focusing on the big males - the females are timid.
    I don't mind having them around - Other than the trees being broken, having to fence the vegie patch - I don't mind them
    Horders Helper - Pom or not - they do add something to the evening as they bound into the distance, as long a they are leaping into the distance and not towards me ;)

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  9. Wow. What a bunch of serious looking characters. The straight on shot of one roo, looks like he is aching for a boxing match! On your porch? I think I would prefer the zoo. I hear they are prolific in your country...something of a nuisance, like deers in the US. We issue hunting permits just to thin out the herds. Great photo's, BTW! Thank you for sharing with the world ;)

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  10. That photo was taken with a point and shoot camera - not brilliant - I hope to have more 'proper' photos up shortly - you saw this mornings effort!

    Like your deer - roos are prolific and pose the same road hazards, in fact this morning I had to brake sharply for a joey that bounded off an embankment.

    Like you, we too issue permits for culling, which is frowned up - but although native, can cause massive damage. I don't mind them, as long as I can move about the house, which sometimes is not always possible :(

    But I live in the country - there are many how are envious, but I couldn't live in the city

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  11. Due to overzealousness on my behalf I deleted many comments so please accept my apologies and the duplicates of said comments back to my blog
    Courtesy of Spagsy
    you are a riot!

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