Effectiveness of the eastern grey kangaroo foot thump for deterring conspecifics
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Published source details
Bender H. (2005) Effectiveness of the eastern grey kangaroo foot thump for deterring conspecifics. Wildlife Research, 32, 649-655.
Published source details Bender H. (2005) Effectiveness of the eastern grey kangaroo foot thump for deterring conspecifics. Wildlife Research, 32, 649-655.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Use target species distress calls or signals to deter crop damage by mammals to reduce human-wildlife conflict Action Link |
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Use target species distress calls or signals to deter crop damage by mammals to reduce human-wildlife conflict
A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 1997–1998 at a shrubland site in Victoria, Australia (Bender 2005) found that playing recordings of foot-thumping kangaroos increased vigilance in eastern grey kangaroos Macropus giganteus and caused more kangaroos to flee in the first few second, but did not cause more overall to flee. Where the foot-thumping noise was played, kangaroos increased vigilance more than did those played a background recording (data presented as indices). A higher proportion of kangaroos fled within the first 3 s of hearing foot-thumping (26%) than of hearing background noise (0%). However, in total, 63% of kangaroos fled, and there was no significant difference in the overall average time to fleeing between noise types (combined average time to fleeing of 25 s). Kangaroos were observed from hides alongside three perimeter fence holes (≥850 m apart). Foot-thumping or a background noise were played for 8 s (noise type selected randomly). Responses were assessed from videos of 236 kangaroos, on 15 nights (20.00 to 21.15 hrs), from 11 December 1997 to 5 February 1998. Fleeing time was measured in 112 adult kangaroos, 64 exposed to foot-thumping and 48 with background noise. Individual kangaroos were tested once/session.
(Summarised by: Nick Littlewood)
