The Kangaroo is the most recognized symbol synonymous with Australia worldwide.

The ‘Made in Australia’ logo and the ‘Flying Kangaroo’ are seen around the world and are easily recognized. And yet, in Australia, they are indiscriminately shot as pests and hunted for their meat and hides. Although reports appear to suggest kangaroos are plentiful, speaking to people in the mid-north of South Australia recently, they said they used to see Red and Grey Kangaroos everywhere. They rarely even see a Grey these days. Like many native Australian species, their population is weather-self-regulated, so numbers will vary accordingly.

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A sample report on the Government’s approach follows.

Kangaroos are an integral part of Australia’s ecosystem, and their number is an important aspect to consider for their preservation. According to a report published by ABC Perth on Oct 14, 2022, the Commonwealth Government stated that there are around 42.9 million kangaroos right now in Australia.

In this article, we will explore the number of kangaroos living in Australia’s different states and the measures that can be taken to manage them.

The Population of Kangaroos in Australia

Kangaroos have been in the Australian ecosystem for hundreds of years, (should read 1000s) and their population is a matter of interest for various reasons. The main reason is the impact on the crops and livelihood of farmers. So, the large number of kangaroos in Australia sparked conflicts and debates on managing their population. Effective management is crucial for their preservation and balance in the Australian ecosystem.

Historical Data on the Population of Kangaroos in Australia

According to a survey conducted by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water in 2011, the estimated number of kangaroos was 34,303,677 within the commercial harvest areas.

In 2011, the Population of Kangaroo in different states was –

South Australia – 2,327,600

Western Australia – 1,815,719

New South Wales – 9,815,115

Queensland – 20,345,243

Throughout history, the highest number of kangaroos has been recorded from Queensland, which is almost half of the total population.

However, with improved monitoring and estimation processes, the recent number raised to around 43 million by 2022. However, these estimates are not exact and may vary for several reasons, including migration, habitat changes, and predators.

Despite the debate and challenges in estimating the kangaroo population accurately, it is crucial to get a general understanding of their numbers to ensure the preservation of these unique species of Australia.

To manage this vast population, the Australian government has initiated a program called “The Kangaroo Management Program” to control the population and minimize the impact on the Australian environment and other wildlife. The program includes regulating the commercial harvest of kangaroos and managing the population in areas where they can be a threat to human safety and other habitats.

What are the Factors affecting the population of Kangaroos in Australia?

Several factors can impact the total count of the kangaroo in Australia. These include natural factors like predators, drought, wildfire, cyclones, weather changes, and human-created factors such as hunting and habitat destruction.

Is there an overpopulation of kangaroos in Australia?

In some areas, the density of kangaroos is higher due to access to quality food, lack of natural predators, and permanent water supply. This overpopulation can result in damaging farmlands, properties, and other habitats. It can impose risks to human safety and can even suffer from starvation due to over-grazing.

Kangaroos play an important role in the Australian ecosystem. Therefore, their population is a matter of concern for various reasons. The government has taken several action plans to regulate their population and balance their count so that they can’t be a threat to humans and other wildlife. (Wrong again. The biggest threats are methane-breathing ruminants along with their compacting hard hooves.)

The article below shows how the Australian Government views our native animals.”Kangaroos have been in the Australian ecosystem for ‘hundreds’ of years,(make that 1000s) and their population is a matter of interest for various reasons. ‘The main reason is the impact on the crops and livelihood of farmers.’