The Tasmanian Forester Kangaroo:
An Endangered Species
Ahlam M.
Hall, S.
CGF3M1-01
CGF3M1-01
October 12, 2010
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Tasmanian Forester Kangaroo
Scientific name: Macropus giganteus tasmaniensis
The Tasmanian Forester kangaroo is a sub-species of the Eastern Grey Kangaroo found only the island of Tasmania which is located south of Australia. This unique species is separated from the Eastern Grey based on the differences in its skull. Studies have shown that overall their is less than 1% difference in the DNA between the two kangaroos.
The Forester kangaroo can best be described as light brown to full gray coated mammal. They grow to be over 6.5 feet in height and 130 lbs. in weight in their adult lives. This makes them the largest of all Tasmanian marsupials. They have small front limbs with five fingers and strong legs that enable them to jump efficiently. They can jump over 30 feet in a single bound, thus making it the ideal form of locomotion. The Forester kangaroo has a long tail used for balance and stability between movements. Other physical characteristics include ears they swivel in all directions for focused hearing as well as excellent senses of smell and sight.
This species lives on grasslands and open woodlands. Their preferred habitat of dry forest is where they eat a herbivore diet consisting of shrubs, herbs, water, and grass. The silica vitamin in grass is abrasive to their teeth and therefore these kangaroos have developed special teeth. Their incisors allow them to cut grass close to the ground. Once their molars are ground down they fall out and are replaced.
Tasmanian Forester kangaroos engage in social behaviours among themselves. They live in small groups called "mobs". These mobs include once dominant male, 2/3 females, 2/3 young males and baby kangaroos. In order to gain entry to these mobs and dominate, males become aggressive and fight each other.
The winner is most likely to mate with the females in the mob at the breeding age of 2. The females give birth to one "joey" after a gestation period of 35 days. The joey then remains in the mother's pouch for 300 days and nurse for another 18 months once they leave.
``Natural predators for the Forester kangaroo come in few natural forms. The thylacine was once ruled a major predator but has since become extinct. Goannas and other carnivorous reptiles prey on small kangaroos when they lack other sources of food. Other predators include the wonambi, dingoes, foxes, feral cats, marsupial lions and megalania. Eagles and other birds eat kangaroo carrion. In order to flee potential deaths at the hand of these predators a Forester kangaroo will jump into water. If they are still being pursued this species will use their forepaws to drown the predator.`` (NJK, 1999, 2007)
The Tasmanian Forester kangaroo is a sub-species of the Eastern Grey Kangaroo found only the island of Tasmania which is located south of Australia. This unique species is separated from the Eastern Grey based on the differences in its skull. Studies have shown that overall their is less than 1% difference in the DNA between the two kangaroos.
The Forester kangaroo can best be described as light brown to full gray coated mammal. They grow to be over 6.5 feet in height and 130 lbs. in weight in their adult lives. This makes them the largest of all Tasmanian marsupials. They have small front limbs with five fingers and strong legs that enable them to jump efficiently. They can jump over 30 feet in a single bound, thus making it the ideal form of locomotion. The Forester kangaroo has a long tail used for balance and stability between movements. Other physical characteristics include ears they swivel in all directions for focused hearing as well as excellent senses of smell and sight.
This species lives on grasslands and open woodlands. Their preferred habitat of dry forest is where they eat a herbivore diet consisting of shrubs, herbs, water, and grass. The silica vitamin in grass is abrasive to their teeth and therefore these kangaroos have developed special teeth. Their incisors allow them to cut grass close to the ground. Once their molars are ground down they fall out and are replaced.
Tasmanian Forester kangaroos engage in social behaviours among themselves. They live in small groups called "mobs". These mobs include once dominant male, 2/3 females, 2/3 young males and baby kangaroos. In order to gain entry to these mobs and dominate, males become aggressive and fight each other.
``Natural predators for the Forester kangaroo come in few natural forms. The thylacine was once ruled a major predator but has since become extinct. Goannas and other carnivorous reptiles prey on small kangaroos when they lack other sources of food. Other predators include the wonambi, dingoes, foxes, feral cats, marsupial lions and megalania. Eagles and other birds eat kangaroo carrion. In order to flee potential deaths at the hand of these predators a Forester kangaroo will jump into water. If they are still being pursued this species will use their forepaws to drown the predator.`` (NJK, 1999, 2007)
Conservation Strategies
Unfortunately the population of Tasmanian Forester Kangaroos has reduced 90% since the 1800's. They've faced obstacles such as the arrival of humans in Australia, as well as the introduction of dingoes. This species has adapted as a means of survival but the loss and reconstruction of their habitat, for agricultural expansion has contributed to their endangerment. Unsupervised hunting has also made in impact in the decline of kangaroos. Currently the total Forester Kangaroo population is estimated at 26,000 being with 30% considered to be young kangaroos. The sum of adults is around 18,000.
Drastic measures have taken place in order to sustain the amount of existing kangaroos while ensuring the re-growth of the species in the future. During the 1970's Tasmanian Forester kangaroos were captured and relocated to locations now know as Maria Island, Three Hummock Island, Kempton, and Narawntapu National Park. ``Mount William National Park was purchased in the early 70's in effort to raise and help monitor the kangaroo population. The addition of 18,439 hectares to the former farm in 2000 was made under the Regional Forest Agreement according to Australian Government representatives. In present times Tasmanian Forester kangaroos are protected by the Australian government. They are classified as "protected native wildlife" under the Tasmanian Nature Conservation Act 2002, white most of their range residing on private property.`` (Australian Government, 2007)
As someone who has loved kangaroos since childhood I'm excited that there have been so many efforts to protect them. Animal trend reporters have studied them for generations and it has been reported that Tasmanian Forester kangaroos are now a stabilized species. That not only makes me happy, but also the native Australians that are proud of their animals.
There is definitely a great difference in the numbers of living the sub-species Tasmanian Forester kangaroos vs. Eastern Grey kangaroos with the Eastern Grey breed leading the race in numbers but they are so similar that I think there hasn't been a huge overall loss. 99% in identical DNA trumps 1% of difference to me. I think that landowners clearing out the kangaroo habitat should be held accountable for the damage they've created both in the present and future. Making money off agriculture is important and I understand that but there must be some sort of compromise with how far they can take it before the damage becomes irreversible. Without a flourishing habitat the Tasmanian Forester species cannot thrive. These fences block their paths to water and seasonal foods. I also believe the problems caused by kangaroos destroying fences belonging to landowners can be solved or at least improved with the use of alternative materials to divide the crops from the animals.
As individuals we can be conscious of our meat consumption. I have yet to meet a person who eats kangaroo meat but they're out there somewhere. If the demand is low less kangaroos will be hunted for their meat. We can also donate money to groups dedicated to raising awareness about this endangered species. There are so many ways to help this wonderful species - you just have to make the effort to seek the information.
Drastic measures have taken place in order to sustain the amount of existing kangaroos while ensuring the re-growth of the species in the future. During the 1970's Tasmanian Forester kangaroos were captured and relocated to locations now know as Maria Island, Three Hummock Island, Kempton, and Narawntapu National Park. ``Mount William National Park was purchased in the early 70's in effort to raise and help monitor the kangaroo population. The addition of 18,439 hectares to the former farm in 2000 was made under the Regional Forest Agreement according to Australian Government representatives. In present times Tasmanian Forester kangaroos are protected by the Australian government. They are classified as "protected native wildlife" under the Tasmanian Nature Conservation Act 2002, white most of their range residing on private property.`` (Australian Government, 2007)
As someone who has loved kangaroos since childhood I'm excited that there have been so many efforts to protect them. Animal trend reporters have studied them for generations and it has been reported that Tasmanian Forester kangaroos are now a stabilized species. That not only makes me happy, but also the native Australians that are proud of their animals.
There is definitely a great difference in the numbers of living the sub-species Tasmanian Forester kangaroos vs. Eastern Grey kangaroos with the Eastern Grey breed leading the race in numbers but they are so similar that I think there hasn't been a huge overall loss. 99% in identical DNA trumps 1% of difference to me. I think that landowners clearing out the kangaroo habitat should be held accountable for the damage they've created both in the present and future. Making money off agriculture is important and I understand that but there must be some sort of compromise with how far they can take it before the damage becomes irreversible. Without a flourishing habitat the Tasmanian Forester species cannot thrive. These fences block their paths to water and seasonal foods. I also believe the problems caused by kangaroos destroying fences belonging to landowners can be solved or at least improved with the use of alternative materials to divide the crops from the animals.
As individuals we can be conscious of our meat consumption. I have yet to meet a person who eats kangaroo meat but they're out there somewhere. If the demand is low less kangaroos will be hunted for their meat. We can also donate money to groups dedicated to raising awareness about this endangered species. There are so many ways to help this wonderful species - you just have to make the effort to seek the information.
Works Cited
1. Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities. "Threatened species and threatened ecological communities". Forester Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus tasmaniensis). Australian Government, 19/02/2007. Web. 12 Oct. 2010. http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/species/forester-kangaroo.html.
2. Tanner, Zoe, and Greg Hocking. "Native Plants & Animals". Status and Management of the Forester Kangaroo in Tasmania. Department of Primary Industries, Water, and Environment, 2000. Web. 12 Oct. 2010.
http://www.dpiw.tas.gov.au/inter,nsf/Publications/BHAN-54X2MD?open
3. Glenn, C. R. "Earth's Endangered Creatures" Tasmanian Forester Kangaroo. EEC, 2006. Web. 12 Oct. 2010.
http://earthsendangered.com/profile-220.html
4. NJK. "Kangaroo" Solar Navigator, 1999 & 2007. Web. 12 Oct. 2010
http://www.solarnavigator.net/animal_kingdom/marsupials/kangaroo.htm
5. photos by Geoff Shaw, "Department of Zoology, University of Melbourne" April 14. 2008. Web. 12 Oct. 2010.
http://kangaroo.genomics.org.au/public/tammar/?Marsupials:Marsupial_Diversity
2. Tanner, Zoe, and Greg Hocking. "Native Plants & Animals". Status and Management of the Forester Kangaroo in Tasmania. Department of Primary Industries, Water, and Environment, 2000. Web. 12 Oct. 2010.
http://www.dpiw.tas.gov.au/inter,nsf/Publications/BHAN-54X2MD?open
3. Glenn, C. R. "Earth's Endangered Creatures" Tasmanian Forester Kangaroo. EEC, 2006. Web. 12 Oct. 2010.
http://earthsendangered.com/profile-220.html
4. NJK. "Kangaroo" Solar Navigator, 1999 & 2007. Web. 12 Oct. 2010
http://www.solarnavigator.net/animal_kingdom/marsupials/kangaroo.htm
5. photos by Geoff Shaw, "Department of Zoology, University of Melbourne" April 14. 2008. Web. 12 Oct. 2010.
http://kangaroo.genomics.org.au/public/tammar/?Marsupials:Marsupial_Diversity
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