Kangaroo deaths increase in Coffs Harbour due to highways, poison and stress

Wildlife rescuers have revealed the reasons for the shocking number of kangaroos needing to be euthanised on the Mid-North Coast. Read the story.

It has become an ordinary sight for Coffs drivers to see a dead roo on the side of the road.

NSW Wildlife Information Rescue and Education Service (WIRES) have the tough job of dealing with injured kangaroos.

Trevor Gardener from WIRES said cars claim the majority of kangaroo deaths, having to euthanize “anywhere up to 15-20 per month”.

He says a number of factors have contributed to a growth in kangaroo deaths over the years, including new building developments and poison.

Trevor Gardener is often tasked with the job of to euthanizing struggling kangaroos in Coffs Harbour.

“Highways lock them in little patches with fences which mean they’re not getting the variety of food they’re used to,” Mr Gardener said.

Mr Gardener said wildlife is struggling due to malnutrition.

“They’re not getting diverse enough food.”

Although arguably inevitable – new developments such as the new sports centre in Woolgoolga are displacing wildlife.

Mr Gardener fears kangaroos are being driven out for good.

“Woopi will end up with no Roos eventually,” he said.

According to WIRES Mid North Coast, there has been a 28% increase in macropod rescues (including Eastern Greys and Red-necked wallabies) since January 2018 – which correlates to an increase in deaths.

“We estimate that around 70% of all our macropod rescues are road accident related,” John Grant, media officer for WIRES said.

Mr Grant acknowledges the statistic is inaccurate as many kangaroos escape and are never found after suffering life-threatening injuries.

Deborah Bohman found this tiny roo at Woolgoolga Soccer fields after its mother died from a road crash.

“Joeys and their mums are often separated so it’s not always possible to determine an exact cause,” Mr Grant said.

Mr Grant said pet owners should be mindful.

“We also request responsible ownership with their cats and dogs by keeping dogs on leash in known wildlife areas and to please keep pet cats indoors especially at night,” he said.

WIRES macropod rescuer Cheryl Malcolm said she saw two kangaroos last week die from what she “presumed” was myopathy.

Myopathy can be caused when an animal – such as a dog or cat – runs at kangaroos, causing extreme stress.

The roo may develop rhabdomyolysis – a breakdown of muscle fibres.

Death typically occurs within 14 days after the stressful incident, according to WIRES.

“The dogs don't have to catch them for them to kill them. They can die from stress – the eastern grays in particular” she said.

Mrs Malcolm said they are limited as rescuers, due to being ill-equipped to capture fully grown kangaroos.

“We have no where to take these animals, we can only rescue babies,” she said.

She said fully grown kangaroos that can reach up to seven feet tall can be very dangerous if you try to aid them.

“Even a friendly hug and you'll come out with bruises,” she said.

Joeys are often the priority, as they are small enough to rescue.

“We have a pen here but we can’t them to the shelter or to vets – no one is geared for that sort of thing.”

She recommends drivers install a “roo whistle” to prepare and warn kangaroos.