ACRIS Kangaroo Density Update 2009-2012
Updated information to that provided in
Rangelands 2008 – Taking the pulse
Gary Bastin, ACRIS Management Unit
CSIRO, PO Box 2111, Alice Springs NT 0871
(email: Gary.Bastin@csiro.au)
This project is supported by Ninti One Limited, through funding from the Australian Government.
The views and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily
reflect those of the Australian Government.
While reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that the contents of this publication are factually
correct, the Commonwealth does not accept responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the
contents, and shall not be liable for any loss or damage that may be occasioned directly or indirectly
through the use of, or reliance on, the contents of this publication.
2
ACRIS Kangaroo Density Update 2009-2012
Gary Bastin, ACRIS Management Unit
CSIRO, PO Box 2111, Alice Springs NT 0871
(email: Gary.Bastin@csiro.au)
Change in kangaroo densities between 1993 and 2003 was reported for the New South Wales
rangelands and parts of Queensland and South Australia in the ‘Total grazing pressure’ section of
Rangelands 2008 – Taking the pulse (Bastin et al. 2008) (see pages 64-67). An account of more
recent change (2004-2008 and including part of the WA rangelands) is available at
http://www.environment.gov.au/land/publications/acris/acris-kangaroo-update.html
This brief report updates changes in kangaroo density between 2009 and 2012.
Key points
Systematic surveys of kangaroo numbers continue across the NSW rangelands, much of western
Queensland, the predominantly sheep-grazed pastoral tenure of SA and in the southern and western
parts of the WA rangelands.
The latest survey data (2009-2012) show that:
 The combined density of kangaroo species in WA (reds and western greys) remains much
lower than the combined density of species in eastern states (including SA).
 Kangaroo densities (reds plus greys) have increased in most Queensland and NSW rangeland
bioregions in recent years but have not reached the densities present between 1993 and 2003.
(Densities are converted to dry sheep equivalents (DSE) as a standardised way of reporting
the contribution of kangaroos to total grazing pressure. Recent lower densities [in terms of
DSE] are partly attributable to a lower factor [0.35] now used to convert kangaroo numbers.)
Kangaroo densities also increased in SA bioregions between 2009 and 2012 but not to the
same extent as in Queensland and NSW.
 More recent changes in the density of red and grey kangaroo species were less strongly
related to prior seasonal quality than in years past. Relative densities fluctuated in most
bioregions but did not increase appreciably following recent years of generally above-average
rainfall.
 Euros / common wallaroos contribute appreciably to macropod density in some Queensland
and South Australian rangeland bioregions.
3
Annual monitoring of kangaroo populations
Kangaroos are harvested in Queensland, NSW, SA and WA within quotas set by each state and
based on populations estimated by surveys. Harvested species are: red kangaroos (Macropus
rufus), all states; eastern grey kangaroos (M. giganteus), Queensland and NSW; western grey
kangaroos (M. fuliginosus), NSW, SA and WA; and euro/common wallaroo (M. robustus),
Queensland, NSW (outside of the rangelands) and SA. Each state monitors its kangaroo
populations on a one to three year basis using either fixed-wing aircraft or helicopters flown along
set transects.
Kangaroo density data for NSW data are available at
www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/nature/kmp/130142KMP2013QR.pdf (accessed 13 May
2013). Density data for Queensland were extracted from the report 2013-quota-submissionmacropods.pdf available at www.ehp.qld.gov.au/wildlife/permitslicences/kangaroo_harvesting.html (accessed 27 May 2013). Updated data for SA and WA were
obtained from the SA Department of
Environment, Water and Natural Resources and
the WA Department of Environment and
Conservation respectively,
Kangaroo density data for Queensland, NSW and
SA are reported by kangaroo management zones
(alternatively, harvest zones). The WA data were
aggregated to 1o blocks along flight lines shown in
Figure 1.
These data were then concorded to corresponding
densities for those bioregions predominantly
covered by each management zone (Figure 1) and
reported as dry sheep equivalents (DSE) using a
factor of 0.35. This factor is based on studies of
the field metabolic rate (i.e. energy requirements)
of both red kangaroos and merino sheep (Munn et
al. 2008). This allows direct comparison with
domestic stocking densities.
Figure 1. Regions surveyed for kangaroo numbers.
Map compiled by the ACRIS Management Unit from
shape files provided by Queensland, NSW and SA
agencies contributing to ACRIS
4
As for Rangelands 2008 – Taking the pulse, two sets of maps are used to report more recent change:
(i)
(ii)
change in kangaroo densities by bioregion for each year between 2009 and 2012, and
the percentage change in densities of red and grey kangaroos between 1994 and 2012 relative to
the average of the preceding 1984-1993 period. The average for 1984 to 1993 is used as a base to
indicate relative change in regional populations.
Previously, ACRIS reported absolute and relative changes in the density of red and grey kangaroos. The
bioregional densities of euros / common wallaroos are included this time but because the monitoring
record does not extend back to 1984 in all regions where this species occurs, it is not possible to report
relative change as for red and grey kangaroos.
Change in kangaroo density
Red and grey kangaroos
The combined density of red, eastern grey and western grey kangaroos remained higher in the eastern
states (particularly in parts of NSW and Queensland) compared with WA (Figure 2, bioregional data for
all macropods in Appendix 1). Densities in WA bioregions were considerably less than one DSE km-2
apart from the Nullarbor Plain sub-IBRA (1.3 DSE km-2). The density data for the Yalgoo bioregion
should be interpreted cautiously. This area was surveyed in October 2012 rather than the winter months
as for other surveys. Temperatures were warmer than usual in that month and the low density reflects
both survey conditions and population dynamics. ACRIS reports kangaroo densities as DSE km-2 as a
standardised way of representing their contribution to total grazing pressure.
The density of red and grey kangaroos has increased in most Queensland and NSW rangeland bioregions
in recent years (Figure 2) but has not reached those densities reported between 1993 and 2003 in
Rangelands 2008 – Taking the pulse. (The current lower densities are partly due a smaller factor [0.35]
now used to convert kangaroo densities to DSE as an indicator of total grazing pressure.) Note that
scaling for the equivalent density map in that report (Figure 3.33, page 66) was between <2 and >20 DSE
km-2 (compare 0 to >5 DSE km-2 in Figure 2). Kangaroo densities also increased in SA bioregions
between 2009 and 2012 but not to the same extent as in Queensland and NSW.
Figure 3 further illustrates that the combined density of red and grey kangaroos in most bioregions was
below the 1984-1993 average at the start of this reporting period (i.e. 2009) and increased in most eastern
and southern bioregions by 2012. (The average density for the 1984-1993 period provides a base to
compare relative population change for each bioregion.) Compared with the end of the previous reporting
period (2008), relative densities increased marginally in NSW bioregions, considerably in Queensland
(particularly in the Mulga Lands), by a smaller amount in SA and were largely unchanged in WA.
5
2008
(2007-2009 for WA)
2009
(2007-2009 for WA)
2010
(2010-2012 for WA)
2011
(2010-2012 for WA)
2012
(2010-2012 for WA)
Figure 2. Combined densities of three kangaroo species (red, eastern grey, western grey) in eastern, southern and
western rangeland bioregions between 2008 and 2012. Note that WA densities are for three-year blocks,
Map compiled by the ACRIS Management Unit using data supplied by Queensland, NSW, SA and WA.
6
2008
(2007-2009 for WA)
2009
(2007-2009 for WA)
2010
(2010-2012 for WA)
2011
(2010-2012 for WA)
2012
(2010-2012 for WA)
Figure 3. The percentage change in density of red and grey kangaroos between 2008 and 2012 relative to the mean
density for the 1984-1993 period. Values above 100 indicate yearly densities above the base (i.e. increased
density) and values less than 100 mean a decline.
Map compiled by the ACRIS Management Unit using data supplied by Queensland, NSW, SA and WA.
7
Note that the scaling in Figure 3 is the same as for Figure 3.34 (page 66) in Rangelands 2008 –
Taking the pulse but the base period has been adjusted slightly to better accommodate available WA
data. (The base period for the 2008 report was 1984-91 compared with 1984-93 used here.)
Recent relative changes in density of red and grey kangaroos are graphed for selected bioregions in
Figure 4.
% Change in Kangaroo Density (DSE) - 1984-1993 base
200
NSW Broken Hill Complex
180
QLD Mitchell Grass Downs
SA Gawler
160
WA Murchison
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Figure 4. Percentage changes in the combined density of red and grey kangaroo species between 1994 and
2012 for an example bioregion in each rangeland state. Note that the WA data are aggregated into three-year
blocks. Change is expressed relative to the average density for each region for 1984 to 1993.
Graph compiled by the ACRIS Management Unit using data supplied by Queensland, NSW, SA and WA.
Relative changes in bioregional densities of red and grey kangaroos based on the 1984-1993
average are tabulated in Appendix 2.
All macropod species (red, eastern and western greys, euros / common wallaroos)
Including euros / common wallaroos (Figure 5) increased bioregional kangaroo densities (based on
DSE) by:

more than 50% in the Queensland Mitchell Grass Downs
8

up to two times in the South Australian portion of the Broken Hill Complex


a factor of three in that part of the Flinders Lofty Block in the rangelands
greater than one third in the Gawler bioregion.
There were lesser proportional increases in the Queensland Darling Riverine Plains and Mulga
Lands bioregions but total densities were much higher than in other bioregions between 2005 and
2012 (Figure 5).
Note that densities of euros for South Australian bioregions were not available in 2012. Wallaroos
are only currently harvested (and thus surveyed) in the Northern Tablelands of NSW. The same
factor (0.35) is used to convert the density of euros / common wallaroos to DSE. This may be a
little excessive because of their smaller size but is used in the absence of a more precise estimate.
Kangaroo density and rainfall
Examples of changes in kangaroo density and seasonal quality were provided in Rangelands 2008 –
Taking the pulse (Figure 3.36, page 67). More recent examples are provided here (Figure 6).
In the NSW Broken Hill Complex bioregion, the combined density of red and grey kangaroos
decreased sharply between 2001 and 2003 (compared to the average for 1984 to 1993) following
much below median rainfall. Kangaroo density then increased slowly to 2008 with variable
seasonal quality and has fluctuated at around 50 to 60 percent of the base population in the recent
past. It is notable that densities did not increase appreciably with excellent seasonal conditions
(based on rainfall) in 2010 and 2011.
There was a similar rapid decrease in the density of red and grey kangaroo species with drier years
between 2001 and 2003 in both the Queensland Mitchell Grass Downs and SA Gawler bioregions.
This reduced density then held until 2007 in both bioregions despite some better seasons in the
Gawler and progressively increasing rainfall in the Mitchell Grass Downs bioregions. The density
of red and grey kangaroos has increased, but in a fluctuating manner, with recent better seasonal
conditions (until 2012) in the Mitchell Grass Downs. Densities fluctuated at 70 to 80 percent of the
base density between 2008 and 2011 in the Gawler bioregion with above-average seasonal quality
and then, as a lag effect, the density increased (to approximate the 1984-93 average) despite a dry
year in 2012.
The seasonal trends were less apparent for the Murchison bioregion in WA. Kangaroo density
declined between 1998-2000 and 2004-2006 with some drier years. There was a subsequent small
increase in density in 2007-2009 with above-median rainfall and a further decline throughout 20102012 despite above-average rainfall in 2010 and 2011.
9
14
red+grey
13
all species
12
Kangaroo density (DSE km-2)
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
Queensland Darling Riverine Plains
Queensland Mitchell Grass Downs
14
red+grey
13
all species
12
Kangaroo density (DSE km-2)
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
SA Broken Hill Complex
Queensland Mulga Lands
14
red+grey
13
all species
12
Kangaroo density (DSE km-2)
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
SA Flinders Lofty Block
2010
2011
SA Gawler
Figure 5. Densities of red and grey kangaroos, and all macropods, in selected rangeland bioregions.
10
10
180
decile rainfall
kangaroo density
9
160
8
Seasonal quality (decile rainfall)
120
6
5
100
4
80
3
% of 1984-93 base kangaroo density
140
7
60
2
40
1
0
20
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998
1997
1996
1995
1994
1993
1992
Queensland – Mitchell Grass Downs bioregion
NSW – Broken Hill Complex bioregion
10
180
decile rainfall
kangaroo density
9
160
8
Seasonal quality (decile rainfall)
120
6
5
100
4
80
3
% of 1984-93 base kangaroo density
140
7
60
2
40
1
0
20
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998
1997
1996
1995
1994
1993
1992
SA – Gawler bioregion
WA – Murchison bioregion
Figure 6. Relative changes in density of red and grey kangaroo species in relation to seasonal quality
indicated by decile rainfall for four example bioregions between 1992 and 2012. Note that the WA kangaroo
data are aggregated into three-year blocks. Change is expressed relative to the average density for each
region for 1984 to 1993.
Map: the ACRIS Management Unit. Data sources: rainfall, Bureau of Meteorology; kangaroo density, data
supplied by Queensland, NSW, SA and WA kangaroo management agencies contributing to ACRIS.
References
Bastin, G. & the ACRIS Management Committee (2008). Rangelands 2008 – Taking the Pulse.
Published on behalf of the ACRIS Management Committee by the National Land and Water
Resources Audit, Canberra. Available at:
http://www.environment.gov.au/land/rangelands/acris/index.html
Munn, A. J., Dawson, T. J., McLeod, S. R., Croft, D. B., Thompson, M. B. and Dickman, C. R.
(2008). Field metabolic rate and water turnover of red kangaroos and sheep in an arid rangeland:
an empirically derived dry-sheep-equivalent for kangaroos. Australian Journal of Zoology, 57,
23-28.
11
Appendix 1. Combined densities of kangaroo species (as DSE km-2) between 1994 and 2012 for bioregions in each
rangeland state. Note that the WA data are aggregated into three-year blocks.
Figures in normal font are the combined density of red and grey kangaroos. Italicised figures are the total for all macropods (red, eastern and western
greys plus euros / common wallaroos). Macropod data cover 2005-2012 for Queensland and 2005-2011 for South Australia.
New South Wales
Bioregion
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
Brigalow Belt
South
7.40
6.03
2.63
5.08
12.03
7.31
12.85
10.94
13.94
5.84
2.84
1.05
3.36
4.36
3.40
3.39
6.31
9.36
8.61
Broken Hill
Complex
6.78
10.35
7.00
10.37
8.73
7.67
6.59
8.73
7.87
3.26
4.43
2.92
3.52
5.06
6.08
4.47
4.21
4.76
5.35
Channel
Country
Cobar
Peneplain
8.06
7.87
7.40
12.41
12.30
7.27
7.25
10.39
6.01
3.15
3.58
4.34
2.69
3.19
4.48
4.16
4.28
4.28
6.42
6.62
7.39
6.81
6.99
8.08
8.48
7.68
9.40
10.73
5.74
4.25
4.31
3.34
3.15
3.58
2.85
3.64
4.31
5.45
Darling
Riverine
Plains
7.72
8.08
5.57
7.79
10.55
8.81
10.22
11.27
14.58
6.91
4.78
2.71
4.06
4.04
3.83
3.85
5.58
7.44
8.17
Mulga Lands
6.85
6.64
6.02
8.50
8.16
7.35
7.46
10.16
9.04
3.16
3.54
3.09
2.76
3.17
3.67
3.25
3.40
4.12
5.72
Murray
Darling
Depression
8.08
8.84
6.54
7.94
6.81
7.27
5.44
6.86
7.43
3.71
3.64
2.92
2.76
3.61
4.69
3.21
3.30
3.16
4.20
Riverina
6.87
6.15
6.68
5.87
5.70
6.45
5.07
5.21
6.50
3.89
3.28
3.10
2.92
3.05
3.43
2.21
2.86
3.36
3.71
Simpson
Strzelecki
Dunefields
7.92
8.16
7.36
12.17
11.89
7.32
7.17
10.20
6.22
3.16
3.68
4.17
2.79
3.40
4.67
4.20
4.27
4.35
6.27
12
Queensland
Bioregion
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
South Australia
Bioregion
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
Darling Riverine Plains
4.88
4.21
5.72
5.17
8.11
8.89
9.03
11.58
15.53
8.55
8.01
9.11 / 9.97
8.63 / 9.89
8.56 / 9.90
8.07 / 8.86
9.03 / 9.51
8.87 / 9.58
11.46 / 11.79
13.61 / 13.91
Mitchell Grass Downs
4.28
2.51
3.43
2.19
4.17
4.51
5.62
4.80
4.74
4.09
2.51
2.41 / 5.10
2.88 / 5.55
2.41 / 6.10
3.09 / 7.08
4.05 / 7.35
2.63 / 4.34
3.95 / 5.92
4.39 / 6.42
Broken Hill Complex
Flinders Lofty Block
Gawler
7.24
9.00
9.00
8.49
9.68
6.40
6.17
7.99
4.88
4.18
5.36
5.63
4.55
5.30
3.96
3.90
4.77
3.60
3.70
5.54
4.83
3.25
4.12
4.62
4.61
3.45
3.47
Mulga Lands
3.57
3.31
4.44
4.61
6.12
7.63
8.09
10.30
11.31
6.17
4.00
5.10 / 6.05
4.10 / 5.61
4.42 / 5.92
4.71 / 6.09
5.48 / 6.52
5.02 / 6.41
9.44 / 10.84
9.77 / 11.08
Murray Darling
Depression
4.06
5.02
5.57
3.78
3.28
2.66
2.58
2.21
3.95
Stony Plains
(south of Dog Fence)
2.80
4.50
4.24
2.29
2.94
2.87
4.01
3.22
3.36
13
2003
2004
2005
3.59
3.40
2.77
7.62
2.64
8.23
3.05
9.07
3.01
8.57
3.68
7.65
2.96
6.62
3.84
9.37
4.85
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
Western Australia
Bioregion
1995-1997
1998-2000
2001-2003
2004-2006
2007-2009
2010-2012
Carnarvon
0.18
0.85
0.56
0.56
0.80
0.57
2.53
3.08
2.70
11.23
2.69
11.71
2.62
9.83
2.83
12.34
2.75
10.75
2.40
9.39
3.67
12.11
4.35
Coolgardie
(Eastern
Goldfield
subIBRA)
0.12
0.48
0.27
0.20
0.17
0.09
2.44
2.42
2.12
3.29
2.41
3.60
1.74
2.77
2.50
3.76
2.14
3.00
2.62
3.46
2.24
3.18
3.13
3.01
2.77
1.66
2.24
1.88
2.35
3.36
4.08
2.98
3.53
2.76
3.07
2.48
2.77
2.12
3.59
2.55
Gascoyne
Murchison
Nullarbor
(Nullarbor Plains
subIBRA)
0.57
1.46
0.99
0.33
0.42
0.13
0.47
1.05
0.91
0.46
0.53
0.14
1.30
1.31
1.60
2.06
1.54
1.26
2.08
2.12
1.90
2.78
1.92
2.86
1.14
1.84
1.30
2.18
1.43
2.11
1.67
2.14
1.71
2.22
1.87
Pilbara
Yalgoo
0.11
0.85
0.14
0.07
0.05
0.07
0.22
0.50
0.23
0.18
0.41
0.16
14
Appendix 2. Percentage changes in the combined density of red and grey kangaroos between 1994 and 2012 for
bioregions in each rangeland state. Note that the WA data are aggregated into three-year blocks. Change is expressed
relative to the average density for each region between 1984 and 1993.
New South Wales
Bioregion
Brigalow Belt
South
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
Queensland
Bioregion
1994
1995
1996
83
69
30
59
143
86
151
126
160
66
33
14
39
49
39
38
72
106
98
Broken Hill
Complex
74
111
76
114
95
84
71
96
84
36
49
33
39
56
67
49
46
52
59
Channel
Country
86
84
78
131
129
76
76
110
63
33
38
46
29
34
48
44
46
46
69
Cobar
Peneplain
92
102
95
97
113
119
107
130
149
80
60
60
47
44
51
40
51
60
77
Darling Riverine Plains
51
44
60
Darling
Riverine
Plains
78
82
56
80
110
91
106
115
148
70
49
28
42
41
40
39
57
76
83
Mulga Lands
81
79
72
102
98
87
88
120
107
38
43
38
34
39
45
39
41
50
69
Mitchell Grass Downs
115
67
94
Murray
Darling
Depression
105
114
86
105
90
95
71
90
97
48
48
38
37
48
62
42
43
42
55
Riverina
122
108
119
104
100
115
89
93
115
69
58
55
52
55
61
39
51
60
66
Simpson
Strzelecki
Dunefields
84
87
78
129
126
77
76
108
65
34
39
45
30
36
50
45
46
47
67
Mulga Lands
63
58
79
15
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
South Australia
Bioregion
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
54
84
93
94
121
161
89
83
95
91
90
85
94
92
119
141
59
113
123
152
128
124
107
66
65
77
65
83
104
68
102
113
Broken Hill Complex
Flinders Lofty Block
Gawler
103
127
128
117
138
91
88
113
69
50
48
39
37
43
90
116
122
97
115
86
84
103
77
54
66
58
58
56
115
171
150
99
126
141
144
107
107
75
75
66
76
55
80
10
13
14
17
19
10
68
88
71
77
84
95
87
16
17
Murray Darling
Depression
121
150
171
114
101
79
79
66
120
90
84
51
56
102
Stony Plains
(south of Dog Fence)
85
13
12
70
89
87
12
98
10
63
65
58
58
35
16
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
Western Australia
Bioregion
1995-1997
1998-2000
2001-2003
2004-2006
2007-2009
2010-2012
42
53
43
55
70
Carnarvon
27
125
83
83
118
85
61
60
52
80
95
Coolgardie
(Eastern
Goldfield
subIBRA)
56
206
118
94
74
41
79
67
82
70
98
89
85
76
65
78
Gascoyne
Murchison
Nullarbor
(Nullarbor Plains
subIBRA)
53
135
92
30
39
12
51
115
100
50
59
16
61
64
74
95
70
60
39
43
51
52
57
Pilbara
Yalgoo
36
279
46
22
15
24
51
118
55
40
98
37
17