Distribution and abundance of kangaroos (Marsupialia: Macropodidae) at the time of European contact: Victoria.

Abstract

The dominant species of large macropods in Victoria are the Eastern Grey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) and the Southern (= Western) Grey Kangaroo (M. fuliginosus). On the limited historic data available there is no indication that their ranges have changed since European settlement. The Red Kangaroo (M. rufus) was restricted to the northwest corner of the state, then as now. Moderate densities of Grey Kangaroos at settlement increased under forest clearing, probably peaking about the mid-nineteenth century. With intensification of farming and associated heavy hunting they declined again to establish by about the turn of the century the distribution of modera te density that we see today.