The city council’s urban biodiversity team is to give a talk about living with kangaroos and cover topics such as what to do if you hit or find one on the road.
The talk, to be held at the Global Learning Centre, Macedon St, Saturday 17 May, will include speakers offering practical advice on reducing risks on the roads, getting help from local wildlife rescue, and understanding kangaroo behaviour.
Kangaroos are a protected native Australian species. But as urban development expands their habitat increasingly overlaps with where we live.
The council’s Living With Kangaroos PDF states kangaroos are usually docile, but when feeling threatened or surprised can attack causing injury to people and pets.
“Kangaroos can sometimes become trapped within suburban areas, become panicked and disoriented, and must be carefully captured and relocated by a wildlife rescuer,” states the council.
In rural and urban areas kangaroos can attempt to cross roadways, which can result in injury or death for the animal, injury to people and damage to vehicles.
Click here for more information on the kangaroo information session in Sunbury.
Council advises that when…
Driving on rural roads people need to exercise caution to avoid kangaroos
Slow down during the dusk and dawn periods when kangaroos are most active and feeding
Be alert while driving – keep an eye on road verges for any signs of kangaroos. If you see one kangaroo then there are likely more nearby
Observe kangaroo warning signs in high activity areas and slow down
If you find a kangaroo on a busy road that is causing a traffic hazard, call 000
If you come across a dead kangaroo that has been spray painted, this means that a wildlife rescuer has checked the pouch for joeys
The Centre for Invasive Species Solutions has also sent out a reminder about feral deer on the roads.
Dr Annelise Wiebkin, National Deer Management Coordinator, says feral deer cause serious damage in farmland, native bushland and urban areas and that breeding season is a particularly critical time to notice their presence and manage their impacts.
“Feral deer activity will intensify in coming weeks, so people may see deer more often or even for the first time in a new area,” says Wiebkin.
“It’s important the community reports sightings on the free DeerScan app. We have a small window of opportunity to track their spread and support control efforts, particularly in areas where feral deer numbers are still low.”
