Driving in Australia - Kangaroo Hazards - Learning Outcomes

·         Describe the kangaroo and other wildlife risks to driving on the road.

·         Recognize one of the hazards of driving on the road in Australia.

·         Evaluate how to adapt to driving in Australia

·         Apply the precautions to driving on the road.

·         Describe what to do if a collision occurs and what first aid procedures should be followed.

·         Describe what to do if there was a dead animal on the road and what procedure to follow.

Section A - Kangaroos: What are they?

Two eastern Grey kangaroos looking forward sitting in the bush near trees.

'Kangaroos are the largest marsupial surviving on earth today' (Australia Zoo, n.d, 'Mammals - Kangaroos' para.1) They are identified by their muscular tails, strong back legs, large hind feet, short fur, and long, pointed ears. 'Kangaroos are in the Macropodidae family' (Bradford 2016). All kangaroo, wallaby, and wallaroo are known as macropod (Wires, n.d. para. 1) Macropods mean 'bigfoot' (Bush Heritage Australia, n.d, 'Kangaroos' para. 1) due to their unusually large hind feet. 

Kangaroos and wallabies are protected as they are native Australian animals (Wires, n.d. 'Kangaroos and Wallabies' para. 1) 

'Kangaroos within the Macropus genus, and include the Red Kangaroo (Macropus Rufus), Eastern Grey Kangaroo(M. giganteus), Western Grey Kangaroo (M. fuliginosus), Antilopine Kangaroo (M. antilopinus), Common Wallaroo (or Euro) (M. robustus) and the Black Wallaroo (M. bernadus)' (Bush Heritage Australia n.d. 'Kangaroos' para. 2).

Size, Distribution, and Habitat

'The largest kangaroo, as well as the largest marsupial, is the red kangaroo, according to National Geographic (National Geographic n.d. 'Mammals - Red Kangaroo' para 1)

'The Eastern Grey Kangaroo is an iconic marsupial mammal. They live in mobs of 10 or more in a home range of up to 5km in eastern Australia' (Burrell, 2018 para.1).

'The eastern grey kangaroo's fur is woolly and grey-brown in colour, and they have a small head with big ears. Their tail can grow up to four feet long (1.2 metres) which is very helpful for balancing and standing up straight. An eastern grey kangaroo can live anywhere from 15-20 years of age in the wild. A big male can measure up to 2.8 metres from his nose to the tip of his tail and can weigh up to 66kg. Females are much smaller only reaching approximately 32kg' (Australia Zoo, n.d. 'Mammals - Eastern Grey Kangaroo' para 1).

Wallabies are members of the kangaroo family and are typically smaller to medium-sized (National Geographic, n.d. 'Wallabies' para. 3). Wallabies also have a pouch were their young develop after birth. Their young are called joeys. 

'Eastern grey kangaroos can be found living on the open grassland, open woodland and forested coastal areas' (Australia Zoo, n.d.  'Mammals - Eastern Grey Kangaroo' para. 2) over most of the eastern states of Australia including Tasmania (Burrell, 2018 para.3).  'The eastern grey tend to favor denser scrub and forests' (Burrell, 2018 para.3). 

Habits and diet

'Kangaroos are most active between dusk and dawn, as they search for their favourite foods: grass, as well as leaves, ferns, flowers, fruit, and moss. (Bush Heritage Australia n.d. 'Kangaroos', para.15) They are predominately a grazing animal eating mainly shrubs and grass. They feed mostly at night and early in the morning and lie under shaded trees or in scrapes they have dug. This is where they sleep as well (Australia Zoo n.d. 'Mammals - Eastern Grey Kangaroo' para. 4). Kangaroos need free water to survive; however, when desperate, kangaroos are known to dig holes a metre deep in search of water' (Bush Heritage Australia n.d. 'Kangaroos' para.15)

Breeding

'Breeding occurs throughout the year but more births occur in the warmer summer months. A baby kangaroo is called a joey. A joey is born 33-38 days after his/her parent's mate. The tiny embryonic kangaroo emerges from its mother's body and slowly climbs up her abdomen and into her pouch. When the joey is first born it weighs under a gram and is as tiny as 15 millimeters, very much like a small, pink jellybean. Once born the joey will stay in its mum's pouch for up to 8 months. At this age, the joey will begin to start exploring and go for very short little hops around out of mum's pouch' (Australia Zoo n.d.'Mammals - Eastern Grey Kangaroo' para. 4). 

'The joey will still be able to fit into its mother's pouch until it is around one year old, but will only try getting back in when he/she is cold or scared. When the joey finally does becomes too big for mum's pouch she will refuse to let him in. By this stage, mum may already have another little joey suckling on her teat' (Australia Zoo, n.d, 'Mammals - Eastern Grey Kangaroo' para. 4). 

Section A YouTube (The Kangaroo is the World's Largest Hopping Animal | National Geographic, 2018)

Review questions Section A: Basic facts about a Kangaroo.

1. Where to mother kangaroos carry their young? In a pouch at the front of a female kangaroo.

2. Describe what a kangaroo looks like. They are tall - over 2 meters sometimes have muscular tails, strong back legs, large feet, short fur, and long, pointed ears.

3. What is a baby kangaroo called? A Joey. 

4. What do kangaroos eat? Mainly shrubs and grass

Section B - Exploring Australia by Road - a fantastic way to see and experience this amazing way to see the country.

'The benefits of taking yourself exploring by road are that you can go wherever you like, you see and experience what you like and you can stop whenever you like! When I see something anytime I'm traveling and I'll stop to check it out - whether it's one of our incredible wildlife species, a beautiful sight over our sparkling oceans or a view that you can get lost in from on top of our mighty mountain ranges or even to stop and grab a cuppa in the many unique towns along the way. Plus you get to meet some real characters who can often point out special places of interest that are possibly not in tourist brochures' (The Land Down Under, n.d. 'Driving in Australia' n.d. para 3).

MORE INFORMATION CLICK HERE

Driving on the roads in Australia - Wildlife hazards

Are you coming to Australian and planning a driving holiday? Or planning to stay in Australia, firstly welcome! But there are hazards to driving here that are not present in other countries. One of them is the risk of hitting wildlife on the road, one especially that we are featuring is the Kangaroo. 

Yellow wildlife warning sign seen on Australia roads.

'There is a lot of Australian wildlife that comes on to the road especially at night especially Kangaroos. The times to look at for them are dawn and dusk. They are most active between dusk and dawn. (Bush Heritage Australia, n.d. 'Kangaroos' para. 15)  'During the drought in Australia, animals are known to wander into towns in search of food and water, so be on the lookout at all times. In really bad droughts and hot summers, it is not uncommon to find wildlife in towns - some towns have large animals living in their towns all year round such as kangaroos, emus, and cassowaries so always be on the lookout for wildlife' (The Land Down Under n.d. Tips for Avoiding Wildlife Collisions para.5)

'The animals that are more common on the Australian roads are Kangaroo, Echidna, and Wallabies. Other animals that you might come across are Emus, Eagles, and other bird life, wandering Cattle, Camels, and Brumbies (Wild Horses)' (The Land Down Under n.d. 'Tips for Avoiding Wildlife Collisions' para.6)

'In the outback, be especially careful of wandering stock that move onto the roads at night sign Australian outback can get very cold at night time and the roads are still warm, so the cattle move to the warm roads to sleep' (Driving in Australia, n.d.).

'In areas such as the Daintree in Northern Queensland - be aware of Cassowaries - there are less than 1500 left in the wild and they are often sighted crossing roads. Slow down in the areas of the Cassowaries, the areas are well signposted so please be Cass - o - wary' (The Land Down Under n.d. 'Tips for Avoiding Wildlife Collisions' para.7).

'Many areas that are high traffic areas for wildlife are well signposted - but remember, wildlife can't read so it doesn't always stay between the signs!' (The Land Down Under n.d. Tips for Avoiding Wildlife Collisions para.9)

'One of the best things about driving through Australia is seeing the wildlife along the way' (The Land Down Under n.d. 'Tips for Avoiding Wildlife Collisions' para.10).

Kangaroo can come onto the road anywhere, anytime.

'Kangaroos and wallabies are notorious for sitting in the grass on the side of the road then jumping out in front of your vehicle' (DKT Driver Knowledge Test, n.d 'The risks of hitting animals on Australia's roads' para.8).

'In general, the smaller the animal, the less you should consider swerving to avoid it. Unfortunately, this isn’t good for the animal, but it’s better that you don’t create a secondary accident by losing control and ending up hitting a tree or (worse) crossing the center line and hitting another vehicle coming towards you. 42% of fatal accidents in NSW between 2001-2005 where animals were implicated in the crash were caused by people swerving to avoid the animal' (DKT Driver Knowledge Test, n.d.'The risks of hitting animals on Australia's roads' para.9).

'While small deer, wallabies, and kangaroos will cause damage to your car, the main danger is from larger deer (e.g. stags) and cattle. A large Red Deer stag can weigh 160kg and have horns half a metre long. When you hit one, the nose of your car will sweep the legs out from under the deer, meaning that the body is now a stationary mass of more than 100kg that will hit your bonnet and/or windscreen. The worst case scenario is that a stag’s head (and body) pierces your windscreen but without killing the stag. Not only will you have a huge mass of mammal that could injure you, but there will also be a frightened stag with lethal horns trying to escape' (DKT Driver Knowledge Test, n.d 'The risks of hitting animals on Australia's roads' para.10).

"Therefore the best option is to take things a little slower – this will give you more time to react and will shorten your stopping distances. If you have time, use your horn to try to frighten the animal out of the way. If you do have to hit it, though, make sure to take your hand off the horn otherwise the airbag deploying will break your arm as it throws your arm into your face, most likely either breaking your nose, knocking teeth out or fracturing your jaw' (DKT Driver Knowledge Test, n.d 'The risks of hitting animals on Australia's roads' para.11).

'Brake in a straight line if possible as this will give you the maximum braking force. Once you start turning and braking you lengthen the stopping distance because the tyres have to cope with additional forces through trying to change direction' (DKT Driver Knowledge Test, n.d 'The risks of hitting animals on Australia's roads' para.12).

'You will have to make a decision at the last minute whether or not to swerve. There’s a chance you will swerve the same way as the animal runs. Motorcyclists, who should avoid hitting an animal if possible, will have more room to maneuver around one because they are smaller' (DKT Driver Knowledge Test, n.d 'The risks of hitting animals on Australia's roads' para.13).

Slowing down for an animal you have seen.

'If you see an animal on the road up ahead, it’s probably not the only one around. If it’s night time, you should be driving with your lights on full beam unless you are following or approaching other traffic. This will give you more time to see. Once you spot an animal such as a kangaroo (other wild animals could include wombats, deer, foxes: domestic animals include dogs, cats, cows) immediately switch your lights to low beam and slow down. High beam lights simply blind animals and means that they cannot see an escape route and are more likely to freeze' (DKT Driver Knowledge Test, n.d 'The risks of hitting animals on Australia's roads' para.14).

'If the animal does not move, use your horn. If you need to stop, put your hazard warning lights on and turn your lights onto side beam/daytime running lights so that the animal can see where to escape to. This applies to smaller animals, too, not just large animals' (DKT Driver Knowledge Test, n.d 'The risks of hitting animals on Australia's roads' para.15).

https://www.driverknowledgetests.com/resources/the-risks-of-hitting-animals-on-australias-roads/

Review questions Section B: test your reading on Kangaroos and driving in Australia

1. List the times of the day when you should be more aware of kangaroos coming onto the road? Dawn and Dusk. 

2. Are Kangaroos the only wildlife animal you may encounter on Australian roads? True or false? False. 

3. What are the animals you are most likely to encounter on the roads when you are driving in Australia? Kangaroo, Echidna, and Wallabies

4. In the outback especially why should you be aware of cows on the road? In the outback, it gets very cold at night so the cattle move to the warm roads to sleep.

5. What's the best option when driving in a high risk of collision with wildlife time of the day? The best option is to take things a little slower, drive slower.  

6. How can you best use your horn if you see an animal on the road in front of you? Use your horn to try to frighten the animal out of the way.

7. If you have hit an animal on the road should you keep your hand on the horn? Make sure to take your hand off the horn if you hit an animal as the airbag coming out could break your arm and injure your face as well. 

8. What's the best braking solution if you hit an animal? Brake in a straight line - there will be more power in your brakes if they are in a straight line. You lengthen the stopping time as your tyres cannot cope with the extra forces of turning as well. 

9. What is the best option if you see an animal on the road at night and you haven't hit it? Turn your lights to low beam as the high beam will blind them and they may freeze. If the animal does not move to use your horn to move it along. Also, slow down.

Further reading - Pest animals in Australia

Section C - Collisions with Kangaroos.

When Do Collisions Occur? and how to reduce the hazards of hitting a kangaroo.

'From data collection and analysis in the ACT, New South Wales, and some other states, the following observations can be made about collisions with kangaroos:

• 'the peak time for crashes is between 5:00 and 10:00 PM' (Environment ACT Government, 2018 para. 5).
• 'Kangaroos and Wallabies are most active in early morning and late evening after sunset' (Wires, n.d. 'Kangaroos and Wallabies' Para. 2).
• 'the rate of crashes is higher in winter' (Environment ACT Government, 2018 para. 5).
• 'there are more collisions following long periods of dry weather' (Environment ACT Government, 2018 para. 5).
• 'there are more collisions with kangaroos near the full moon phase than the new moon phase' (Environment ACT Government, 2018 para.5). 

Reducing Collisions - What's been done about it in the ACT.

'Worldwide, there has been much effort to develop strategies and techniques to reduce the incidence of motor vehicle collisions with wildlife. The closest parallel to the Australian situation is collisions between deer and vehicles in North America and Europe. Techniques used there to reduce collisions have been considered in Australia' (Environment ACT Government, 2018 para.7).

'Driver education and the use of fencing and/or underpasses are considered to be the most recommended techniques. However, fencing and underpasses are not suitable in all locations and are expensive to construct and maintain. Wildlife warning reflectors and ultrasonic devices have been proven to be ineffective' (Environment ACT Government, 2018 para. 8).

'Refer to Section 3.9.4 of the ACT Kangaroo Management Plan (PDF 6.8MB) for an analysis of techniques used for reducing vehicle collisions' (Environment ACT Government, 2018 para. 9). 

Review questions Section C: test your reading Collisions with Kangaroos

1. What are the peak times of the day for high-risk collisions with kangaroos? The peak time for crashes is between 5:00 and 10:00 PM

2. What season is the worst for collision with a kangaroo? Winter and in the dry seasons. 

3. Which phase of the moon is there a higher risk? Full Moon. 

Section D - First aid for kangaroos

If you have collided with a kangaroo what should you do?

'The carcass of a large animal lying in the road (road kill) is a danger to motorcyclists. At night, it’s more difficult to pick out those kinds of objects on the road. It is your responsibility to move the dead animal off the road if possible, and if not, to notify the police' (DKT Driver Knowledge Test, n.d). 'If you find a seriously injured adult after-hours e.g. hit by a car late at night, please contact the local police and they will attend' (Wires n.d. para.5). 

'A large animal will more than likely cause some damage to your vehicle. If your headlights have been damaged it might mean that you cannot continue your journey and will need to get a tow truck or find some other way of reaching your destination' (DKT Driver Knowledge Test, n.d 'The risks of hitting animals on Australia's roads' para.16).

This information is available here - click here. 

https://www.driverknowledgetests.com/resources/the-risks-of-hitting-animals-on-australias-roads/

'Most adult kangaroos or wallabies that are found are injured due to a vehicle strike' (RSPCA ACT, n.d.).

'To report any injured kangaroos, accidents involving kangaroos or carcasses on roadsides you should contact Access Canberra on 13 22 81 or the local Police station will advise other state and territory authorities. Be sure to explain whether the animal is dead or alive, and its exact location' (RSPCA ACT, n.d.). OR 'for adult rescues call the Wires Rescue office 1300 094 737' (Wires n.d. Para. 2)

'Be very careful near an injured adult, they can be very frightened and have powerful legs which can kick and seriously injure you' (RSPCA ACT, n.d.). 

'Do not approach any injured adult macropod' (Wires n.d. para. 3) - kangaroo or wallaby.  

JOEY RESCUES

'If you find a female macropod that has been recently killed, perhaps hit by a car, please check for joeys' (Wires n.d. Para.7) You may need to also check in nearby bushes as a joey may have been bumped out of the pouch and hiding nearby (Wires n.d. Para. 8) 

'If there is a joey at foot or in the pouch, wrap it in cloth (whatever you have with you, even if it is up your jumper) to keep it warm and secure'  (RSPCA ACT, n.d.) and in a ventilated carrier while transporting (Wires n.d. Para. 11)

'Joeys, depending on the time of year and their level of development can survive in their dead mother's pouch for up to three days. If they are attached to the mother's teat under no circumstances should any force be used to remove them?  In this instance, they should be taken, inside their mother, to RSPCA ACT or RSPCA in the state or territory you are traveling in for specialist handling. If you find a joey that feels extremely cold and seems lethargic, wrap it and place near body heat if practicable - inside someone's shirt or jumper is best. Do not try and warm rapidly with hot water bottles as shock can kill quickly. Any cold orphaned joey should be taken as soon as possible to RSPCA ACT, or to any vet clinic' (RSPCA ACT, n.d.).

'Never feed cow's milk to any marsupial joey - it causes blindness' (RSPCA ACT, n.d.).

For MORE information concerning injured adult kangaroos and carcasses on roadsides, you should contact Canberra Connect on 13 22 81, or visit Kangaroos and Vehicles - website - Parks, and Environment ACT Government.

For further information contact the RSPCA ACT - link here Kangaroos

For more information contact WIRES Kangaroo Rescue for further advise- link here.

Review questions Section D:

1. Who especially are large dead animals on the road dangerous too? and Why? Motorcyclists. Large objects on the road such as dead animals are especially difficult to see by motorcyclists and motorists. 

2. If you collide with an animal on the road and your headlights are damaged is it ok to continue on your journey? No, you'll need to get a tow truck or find another way of getting to your destination. 

3. What should you do with a baby kangaroo or Joey that is still alive when the mother is dead? Wrap it in a warm blanket or keep it warm in your jumper or vest. 

4. If you find there is a Joey inside the pouch of its mother still on a milk teat what should you do? Do not force it off the teat, take them, the Joey and the mother to a vet for specialist handling. 

5. Is there any special care you should do if the Joey is weak and lethargic? Wrap it and place near body heat if practicable - inside someone's shirt or jumper is best. Do not try and warm rapidly with hot water bottles as shock can kill quickly. Any cold orphaned joey should be taken as soon as possible to RSPCA ACT, or to any vet clinic, or contact Wires Wildlife Rescue1300 094 737 (Wires n.d.).

6. Is cows milk suitable to give to a Kangaroo Joey? NO, definitely not as it will cause blindness. 

References:

Wires n.d.  Macropod - Kangaroo/Wallaby Rescues Retrieved from https://www.wires.org.au/rescue/macropod-rescues

Burrell, S., November 29, 2018.  Eastern Grey Kangaroo. Retrieved from https://australianmuseum.net.au/learn/animals/mammals/eastern-grey-kangaroo/

National Geographic n.d. Wallaby. Retrieved from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/search?q=wallaby

National Geographic n.d. Mammals - Red Kangaroo. Retrieved from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/r/red-kangaroo/

Australia Zoo, n.d. Mammals - Kangaroos. Retrieved from https://www.australiazoo.com.au/our-animals/mammals/kangaroos/

Australia Zoo, n.d. Mammals - Eastern Grey Kangaroo. Retrieved from https://www.australiazoo.com.au/our-animals/mammals/kangaroos/eastern-grey-kangaroo/

Bradford, A. March 2, 2016. Kangaroo Facts. Live Science. Retrieved from https://www.livescience.com/27400-kangaroos.html

Bush Heritage Australia, n.d. Kangaroos. Retrieved from https://www.bushheritage.org.au/species/kangaroos

Lawler, W., EcoPix n.d. Eastern Grey Kangaroos at Yourka Reserve. Kangaroos. Retrieved from https://www.bushheritage.org.au/getmedia/0358b99d-7382-46e9-a16b-fc43c9d56074/5096-eastern-grey-kangaroos?width=800&height=535&ext=.jpg

The Kangaroo is the World's Largest Hopping Animal | National Geographic, September 25, 2018. YouTube National Geographic. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=11&v=8BbZTCdB2X4

Australian Animal Warning Sign, September 13, 2012. Wikimedia.org Retrieved from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Australia_animal_warning_sign.jpg

The Land Down Under n.d. Driving in Australia Tips.  The Land Down Under - Where People and Wildlife meet - Explore the Land. Retrieved from https://www.thelanddownunder.com.au/explore-tldu/driving-in-australia-tips

The Land Down Under n.d. Tips for Avoiding Wildlife Collisions. Retrieved from https://www.thelanddownunder.com.au/wildlife/tips-to-avoid-wildlife-collisions-in-australia

Percita June 8, 2015. Only in Australia by Percita Flickr Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/dittmars/19546282159 and https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/264/19546282159_b9b53b93d3_b.jpg

Environment ACT Government, November 30, 2018. Kangaroos and Vehicles. Enviroment.act.gov.au Retrieved from https://www.environment.act.gov.au/parks-conservation/plants-and-animals/urban_wildlife/local_wildlife/kangaroos/kangaroos_and_vehicles 

DKT Driver Knowledge Test, n.d. The risks of hitting animals on Australia's roads - Avoiding an accident with a large animal on the Road. Resources - Advice. Retrieved from https://www.driverknowledgetests.com/resources/the-risks-of-hitting-animals-on-australias-roads/

RSPCA ACT, n.d. Kangaroos, Wallabies or Wallaroos. RSPCA ACT. Retrieved from https://www.rspca-act.org.au/node/126

Wires, n.d. Kangaroos and Wallabies. Wires.org.au Retrieved from https://www.wires.org.au/Default.aspx?PageID=15928064&A=SearchResult&SearchID=3888746&ObjectID=15928064&ObjectType=1