Variations in distribution of western grey kangaroos, Macropus fuliginosus ocydromus, in the Tutanning Nature Reserve and their impact on adjacent farmland [Western Australia; wheat; oats; pasture]
1988
Arnold, G.W. | Steven, D.E. (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Midland (Australia). Div. of Wildlife and Ecology)
The distribution of western grey kangaroos was monitored for 6 years from faecal accumulation on fixed transects throughout the reserve, and from locations of animals sighted. The numbers of animals seen on farmland at night were higher on crops than on pastures, and higher in areas adjacent to parts of the reserve with greater densities of kangaroos. The proportion of the population seen on farmland on any one night varied seasonally, but averaged 4.5 percent in 1981, before a population decline, to 5.6 percent in 1983, a year of very low winter rainfall. Estimation of crop damage made in one year shows that damage was restricted to those parts within 100 m of the reserve. The crop losses appear to be around 1 percent of paddock yields.
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