The Mortality of Kangaroos in Drought

Abstract

Kinchega National Park was drought-stricken for most of 1982 and part of 1983. Extremely low pasture biomass led to a high mortality of kangaroos. An estimated 14500 ± 1450 kangaroos died, of which 9400 were western grey kangaroos and 5100 were red kangaroos. Most subadult and old kangaroos died, and proportionately more adult males died than adult females. The age structures of western greys and reds that died were significantly different.