Six Kangaroo Partnership projects funded
New projects to investigate methods of sustainably managing overabundant kangaroo numbers will begin shortly through the Kangaroo Partnerships Project.
Valued at almost $160,000 the six projects have been jointly-funded by the Kangaroo Partnerships Project through the State Government’s Landscape Priorities Fund and the SA Drought Resilience, Adoption and Innovation Hub through the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund. They were developed following an expression of interest process.
Many of the new projects will adopt new technologies such as drones, AI-powered smart gates and automated photopoint cameras to address kangaroo overabundance.
Drone technology for kangaroo monitoring – a practical workshop for landholders(Yee Von Teo) - This project uses affordable drone tech to teach those interested in using the technology for management and strategic planning. Focus will be placed on learning how to survey vegetation and kangaroo populations to accurately plan management of high total grazing pressure. Skills taught can be replicated on other pest management projects, including feral goats and weeds. The learning events will be held throughout SA and will be tailored to the landscape and community of the region in which the event is held.
Roos on the move: Understanding Kangaroo movement for improved conservation (Phd student Kathryn Bugler) - This project aims to understand how kangaroos move through a landscape and the changes that fence placement or artificial water sources have on that movement range. To be conducted on Red Kangaroos, this project will be undertaken in the Kingoonya district of the SA Arid Lands.
Trailing AI Smart-Gate Technology for adaptive macropod management(Australian Wildlife Conservancy) AI-powered smart gates will be used to allow overabundant species to leave an area while keeping other wildlife protected. The gate has proven effective on internal enclosures in WA and is now being tested on Australian Wildlife Conservancy Kangaroo Island conservation parks external fencing for Tammar Wallaby management.
FAHM Camfor counting and monitoring of kangaroos and other herbivores(John Read) - Cost effective, networked and automated photopoint cameras that provide real-time information on biomass, cover and status will be trained on species such as deer, humans, kangaroos, crows and dogs with a previous demonstration on targeted baiting programs. Through the use of edgeAI herbivore monitoring cameras, this project aims to provide informed proactive management of kangaroos in the Gawler Ranges district of the SA Arid Lands and Eyre Peninsula.
Hop, Skip and a Rump: KI’s eco-friendly food source (Terrain Ecology) – Looking to incorporate macropods into the food tourism of Kangaroo Island, this project will involve substantial local education, the incorporation of a harvester and local butcher and a collaborative effort with local restaurants. The outcomes will be the subject of a short film to discuss the impacts of overabundant macropods and holistic management strategies used to manage them.
Farmer Assist(Sporting Shooters Association of Australia) – SSAA aims to ease the impact caused by overabundant kangaroos while considering animal welfare issues. Property owners and managers from a number of trials will be connected with professional recreational shooters who will co-design a targeted control program over one year to reduce grazing pressure.
