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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 32(2)

A novel observation of dingoes (Canis lupus dingo) attacking a swimming eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus)

Brad V. Purcell
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School of Natural Sciences, University of Western Sydney, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith South DC, NSW 1797, Australia. Email: b.purcell@uws.edu.au

Australian Mammalogy 32(2) 201-204 https://doi.org/10.1071/AM10001
Submitted: 5 January 2010  Accepted: 9 June 2010   Published: 15 September 2010

Abstract

The dingo (Canis lupus dingo) is a keystone species in Australian ecosystems. The current study reports four dingoes observed attacking a swimming eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) in the Wollondilly River, New South Wales. It is proposed that kangaroos need to stand at a certain depth of water to escape an attack by dingoes. If dingoes can continue attacking from opposing directions without threat of injury from the kangaroo, such as in shallow water where dingoes can stand or deep water where kangaroos cannot stand, then the attack may continue until the predator(s) kill the prey or the prey escapes. Further research on such behaviours is needed to understand the functional role of dingoes and the importance of pack structure in development of hunting strategies.


Acknowledgements

I am grateful to Robert Mulley and Robert Close for reviewing this manuscript. I thank the University of Western Sydney for access to resources, the Department of Environment and Climate Change and Water, Kanangra Area Parks and Wildlife Group for supporting my research and the Sydney Catchment Authority for providing accommodation in the field. I also thank Shannon Plummer and Michael Duncan for photographs of this event.


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