The Use of Wheat Crops by Grey Kangaroos, Macropus-Giganteus, in Southern Queensland

Abstract

Aerial surveys of eastern grey kangaroos, Macropus giganteus, were conducted over the western edge of the wheat belt of southern Queensland in two wet years (1983 and 1984) and one year of average rainfall (1985). Because most kangaroos moved rapidly off crops shortly after dawn and returned shortly before dusk, flights within 15 min of dawn and dusk provided the best indicators of kangaroo crop usage. Very low densities were observed on mature crops in all years and on immature crops in the two wetter years. In July 1985, which was drier, a density of 11 kangaroos km-2 was recorded on immature crops. This density was comparable with that for all uncultivated land in the surveyed area. Close to undeveloped land, densities of 14-17 kangaroos km-2 were observed on crops.