About Kangaroos
Kangaroos are some of Australia's most recognisable and well known native animals. They form an integral part of our natural ecosystems, playing an important role in promoting the regeneration of native plants.
Across Victoria, there are three species of kangaroo: Red, Eastern Grey and Western Grey.
The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) oversees the management and protection of kangaroos across Victoria.
Victoria's 2022 kangaroo population survey
During October and November 2022, a population survey of Victoria’s three kangaroo species was conducted.
Aerial surveys were used to estimate the kangaroo population across seven zones of Victoria. These estimates exclude areas located entirely (or almost entirely) within highly urbanised parts of the Melbourne metropolitan area. The surveys also excluded heavily forested parts of Victoria as it is too difficult to accurately visualise kangaroos from the air in these areas.
The results of the survey are shown in the table below. The overall kangaroo population in Victoria at the time of the 2022 survey was estimated to be 2,418,000.
The 2022 survey results build on those from the 2017, 2018 and 2020 surveys and help our understanding of the kangaroo population size and species distribution across Victoria.
| Zone | Eastern Grey | Western Grey | Red | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central | 821,000 | - | 821,000 | |
| Gippsland | 177,000 | - | 177,000 | |
| Lower Wimmera | 504,000 | 52,000 | 556,000 | |
| Mallee | - | 56,000 | 54,000 | 110,000 |
| North East | 356,000 | - | 356,000 | |
| Otway | 189,000 | - | 189,000 | |
| Upper Wimmera | 99,000 | 111,000 | 210,000 |
The full report of the 2022 kangaroo population survey results, including zone boundaries is available below.
Kangaroo survey reports
The 2017 kangaroo population survey reports and the full survey design is available on the DEECA Arthur Rylah Institute webpage.
Chronic phalaris toxicity in kangaroos
Kangaroos can develop chronic phalaris toxicity, or ‘staggers’ as it is commonly referred to in sheep, which causes neurological damage in animals that have eaten Phalaris grasses (also known as canary grass). Phalaris is a common pasture crop and when grown under certain conditions, the young growth of some phalaris grass species can be toxic to animals that graze on it.
Symptoms commonly seen in kangaroos that have chronic phalaris toxicity poisoning include muscle tremors and abnormal or erratic movement, such as repeated falling over, giving the appearance that the kangaroo is “drunk” or “staggering”. Phalaris toxicity cannot be confirmed through the presence of symptoms alone and requires post-mortem examination of the brain and exclusion of other causes to successfully diagnose the condition.
Currently there is no known treatment for this condition in wildlife and unfortunately animals severely affected often require euthanasia or humane killing for animal welfare reasons (for example, if the kangaroo is unable to move and graze or escape predators).
Phalaris grasses that have a high-risk of being toxic can be sprayed in stages and replaced with non-toxic varieties. However, this process would increase grazing pressure by removing a food source and the use of chemical spray may create its own risks of toxicity.
If you suspect a kangaroo with chronic phalaris toxicity poisoning, please contact your local vet or a wildlife rescue organisation. You can also report it to the DEECA Customer Contact Centre on 136 186.
Kangaroos and peri-urban areas
Peri-urban areas provide habitat for kangaroos with open grassy places for foraging and shrubby, or tree covered areas for shelter. They also create conditions for human - wildlife interactions.
Kangaroos are strongly attached to their home range and are reluctant to vacate an area. This can become problematic when land within their home range is subject to development, and they need to disperse to other adjacent areas.
While kangaroos may use the nearby areas, it is uncommon for kangaroos to move entirely out of their home range, even when development is occurring. This can result in kangaroos becoming landlocked (i.e. trapped on all sides by development and other barriers). Displacement and landlocking of kangaroos cause adverse animal welfare and human safety issues.
Kangaroo Management Plans
Kangaroo Management Plans (KMP) are developed to address risks when kangaroos are impacted (e.g. displacement, landlocked) by urban development.
A KMP may be required under certain circumstances including when undertaking development within the Melbourne Strategic Assessment (MSA) Area or Local Government including a condition on planning permits for areas outside the MSA.
Early planning for kangaroo management is critical to ensure positive kangaroo welfare outcomes.
Guidance Note
DEECA engaged a kangaroo ecologist and developed the Guidance Note for Managing Kangaroos in Victoria's Growth Areas (Guidance Note). The Guidance Note has been prepared to assist developers, consultants and Local Government with the preparation of KMPs in growth areas across Victoria.
The Guidance Note is available below:
Guidance Note for Managing Kangaroos in Victorias Growth Areas (PDF, 901.2 KB)
Guidance Note for Managing Kangaroos in Victorias Growth Areas (DOCX, 19.0 MB)
For further information about the Guidance Note, please email us at: wildlife.policy@deeca.vic.gov.au
Management of kangaroos
Kangaroos, like all native wildlife, are protected in Victoria under the Wildlife Act 1975. While kangaroos are a protected species in Victoria, there are situations where kangaroos can cause damage which can negatively affect Victorian farmers, regional communities and biodiversity.
Areas with large kangaroo populations can experience issues such as:
- traffic accidents
- damage to pasture, crops, gardens and fences caused by kangaroos
- negative impact on vulnerable native vegetation or areas undergoing revegetation due to kangaroo grazing
- competition for grazing with livestock on farming properties
- kangaroos becoming aggressive towards people, usually when individual animals have regular contact with humans (e.g. become used to being fed by humans).
The Office of Conservation Regulator, DEECA, issues Authorities to Control Wildlife (ATCWs) under section 28A of the Wildlife Act 1975 for the control of kangaroos where they are demonstrated to be damaging pasture, crops or other property or impacting on biodiversity values. Any person wishing to control wildlife, including kangaroos, on their property is required to apply for an ATCW.
The management techniques for kangaroo populations include fertility control, fencing, scaring and culling.
These techniques vary in effectiveness depending on the situation and size of the population being managed. Wherever possible, DEECA advocates for the non-lethal management of kangaroos. Where non-lethal techniques are ineffective or impractical, lethal control may be necessary.
The Office of the Conservation Regulator provides further advice on kangaroo management techniques, including how to apply for an ATCW.
In Victoria, harvesting of Eastern and Western Grey kangaroos has been allowed since 1 October 2019, under the Victorian Kangaroo Harvest Management Plan (KHMP).
Under the Kangaroo Harvesting Program (KHP), landholders can use authorised harvesters to control kangaroos on their property at no charge. Unlike the Authority to Control Wildlife (ATCW) system, where landholders control and dispose of the kangaroos themselves, the KHP allows landholders to engage professional harvesters who will undertake the control and will remove the carcasses for commercial use. The number of kangaroos harvested through this program is strictly controlled.
The Kangaroo Harvesting Program is administered by the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions (DJSIR), while DEECA is responsible for preparing the KHMP and annual quota for the program.
For more information about the KHP and to find an authorised harvester operating in your area please visit DJSIR's Kangaroo Harvesting Program page.
Page last updated: 25/09/24