Movements of Sympatric Red Kangaroos, Macropus-Rufus, and Western Grey Kangaroos, Macropus-Fuliginosus, in Western New-South-Wales

Abstract

Between July 1979 and November 1980 a total of 261 red kangaroos, Macropus rufus, (216F; 45 M) and 170 western grey kangaroos, M. fuliginosus, (136F;34M) were caught and tagged with individually recognisable collars. Between July 1979 and January 1986, 1751 sightings of tagged individuals were recorded. Information gained from these sightings was used to assess how far each kangaroo ranged. More than 90% of individuals of either species did not range far (<9 km for reds; <6 km for western greys) even when local pastures were severely depleted during drought. A few individuals dispersed much further-up to 323 km. On average, red kangaroos ranged further than western greys. Kangaroos on Kinchega National Park ranged no less or no further than those on an adjacent pastoral leasehold. At least 17 tagged individuals crossed the macropod-deterrent fence surrounding Kinchega; several crossed repeatedly. Dispersal of kangaroos from Kinchega was slight, supporting the hypothesis of Bayliss (1985) that dispersal has no significant impact on population dynamics.