What is coexistence?
Coexistence with wildlife is generally defined as a dynamic, sustainable state in which people and wildlife co-adapt to sharing the landscape, and in which human-wildlife interactions are managed so that wildlife populations can flourish in socially acceptable ways that ensure minimized risk levels.1
By fostering a respectful coexistence mindset and using the latest science and innovative tools, we can enable people and wildlife to thrive side by side and strongly reduce the conflicts that may occur between people and wildlife.
As natural habitats continue to diminish, tensions between people and wildlife may arise. Coexistence strategies are being successfully employed around the world to resolve these conflicts and transition to a state of harmonious co-habituation that benefits both people and the animals we share this planet with.
Coexistence around the world
Coexistence strategies are being successfully deployed around the world and have been shown to benefit humans and wildlife. For instance, the Lion Guardians program in Kenya has trained local Maasai warriors to monitor and protect lions. This initiative has greatly improved the conservation of lion populations and fostered peaceful coexistence between communities and these crucial predators.2 By adopting wildlife-friendly management strategies, African livestock producers enhanced the resilience of their production landscapes by improving vegetation biomass and forage quality. It also promoted health benefits by lowering the abundance of ticks, a well-established vector of wildlife-, human-, and livestock disease.3
Placing beehives around crops has been proven to be an effective and wildlife-friendly method of preventing crop damage by elephants in both Africa4 and Thailand5. The use of livestock guardian dogs has been proven effective to prevent livestock predation by predators globally. The construction of wildlife corridors reduces the risk of road strikes, protecting both wildlife and humans.
Why is coexistence with kangaroos important?
The growing consensus among experts worldwide is that our health and the health of our natural world are inextricably connected. Kangaroos have inhabited Australia for over 20 million years and have always been an integral part of our unique Australian ecosystems. Unlike the farm animals introduced during European settlement 200 years ago, kangaroos have co-evolved with Australian flora and fauna and as native herbivores, they play a crucial role as native herbivores and ecosystem engineers.
Their light weighted bodies and sharp nails turn over the soil, keeping it aerated, while dispersing the seeds of native grasses and fertilising the nutrient-poor land. Their method of grazing (snipping vegetation with upper and lower incisors rather than pulling the plant out by the roots) reduces permanent damage to vegetation. Kangaroos help maintain open pastures, increasing biodiversity and reducing fuel for fires. Spores and seeds are also trapped in their fur, which are then carried across the landscape, releasing into ready-made holes they create with their long toes. Not for no reason, kangaroos are often referred to as Australia’s gardeners.
Native grasslands play a crucial role in water supply and flow regulation, carbon sequestration, soil erosion control, and pollination.[6] Recent research from southern Australia found that kangaroo dung led to a significantly higher biomass of the perennial native wallaby grass (Rytidosperma auriculatum), which is a grass species widely used in nature restoration projects, and significantly lower biomass of the annual, invasive wild oat (Avena barbata).[7] Sheep dung, in contrast, had no such effect.
These findings are in line with the mountain of evidence that suggests that native herbivores produce positive effects on native plant richness, soil health, and productivity.[7] The researchers conclude that facilitating the presence of native herbivores with which native vegetation coevolved can improve the restoration of degraded grasslands.
First Nations perspective
Furthermore, kangaroos continue to be a sacred totem for many First Nation people, who consider the commercial killing of kangaroos culturally offensive and spiritually harmful. The Yuin Declaration for Kangaroos, presented on World Kangaroo Day 2021, states that kangaroos are intelligent, sentient beings, living in family groups and have their own songlines, language, culture and dreaming. Coexisting with Indigenous Australians is not complete without coexisting with kangaroos.
‘The kangaroo has inhabited the Australian continent for over 20 million years, living in peace and ecological harmony. The kangaroo coexists today as they have for millenniums, in balance with the flora, fauna and livings being of this land. This ancient iconic native animal, therefore claims sovereign rights above and beyond any human claims of dominion over them. Today we declare, from this day forward, all kangaroos shall be justly protected from all harms caused by human abuse and exploitation. We vow to hold governments and their citizenry accountable for any breaches of this sovereignty.’ – Article 1, Yuin Declaration for Kangaroos, Uncle Max Dulumunmun Harrison (2021)
Coexisting with kangaroos on farmland
Ever since European settlement, kangaroos have been portrayed as pests, needing management. However, decades of experience and independent science have shown that management strategies are not only a substantial burden to farmers with negative outcomes for wildlife, they are also often ineffective and unnecessary.
Contrary to popular belief, decades of studies have shown that competition between kangaroos is minimal. Kangaroos and livestock prefer to eat different pasture species and grass sward length, and competition will only occur in times of severe drought. Kangaroos do not depend on artificial water points and require just 13% of the water required by sheep. A sheep eats 5 times, and cattle 60 times more than an adult kangaroo, and the grazing pressure by kangaroos may be as little as 1% of the total in Australia.
Although kangaroos are sometimes reported to consume certain crops, studies have shown that kangaroos venture very little into crop fields, constrained by a distance of 400 meters from the tree line. The commercial impact of kangaroos is highly dependent on the type and positioning of crops. By implementing innovative and wildlife-friendly management strategies such as placing unpalatable crops in front of crops prone to consumption by kangaroos, damage to crops can be further reduced.
While damage caused by kangaroos is minimal, the benefits of adopting a coexistence approach can be enormous. The farmer or landholder will have to spend significantly less time, energy and money on mitigation strategies, including expensive fencing or culling. Farmers have reported being relieved by no longer having to constantly worry about managing an entire species on their property and instead indicate enjoying being surrounded by the incredible wildlife we share the Australian landscapes with.
Coexisting with kangaroos in urban areas
Promoting harmonious coexistence with kangaroos in urban settings requires different strategies compared to those employed on farmland. As urban areas expand, interactions between humans and kangaroos in urban and peri-urban regions become more prevalent. To foster a harmonious relationship, it is crucial to consider kangaroos in urban planning and educate citizens about kangaroo behaviour.
Road safety
Ensuring road safety is of utmost importance. Kangaroos are known to follow age-old paths known as ancestral songlines, meaning they tend to follow specific paths they have followed for countless generations. These ancestral pathways intersect with modern roads, increasing the risk of collisions with vehicles. Kangaroo movements can be unpredictable, particularly when they are startled due to their instinctive predator avoidance behaviour. Adhering to speed limits in areas known for kangaroo crossings and constructing wildlife corridors can significantly reduce the chances of accidents, ensuring the safety of both humans and kangaroos.
Education
Understanding kangaroo behaviour and mob structure can minimize the unintentional transmission of intimidating signals to these magnificent creatures who share our urban spaces. Equipping citizens with knowledge about kangaroo behaviour enables them to interpret signals of intimidation or fear, allowing for appropriate distance and respect.
Fencing
Minimising fencing or opting for kangaroo-friendly fencing prevents the blocking of their free movement and reduces the chances of kangaroos getting injured trying to jump the fence. Kangaroos increasingly find themselves landlocked as a result of exclusion fencing, which causes great distress to both kangaroos and the community, while sometimes leading to damage to fences to landholders. Considering common routes used by kangaroos can prevent all that.
Choice of vegetation
Strategic vegetation choices contribute to creating an environment where kangaroos can thrive while safeguarding gardens from unwanted damage. Planting native species and preserving native forests establishes natural habitats for kangaroos. Additionally, selecting flowers that are unpalatable to kangaroos for your garden prevents tension between humans and kangaroos.
By adopting these practices, we can foster a positive coexistence with kangaroos in our urban areas, promoting their well-being and preserving the unique wildlife diversity that enriches our urban surroundings.
We are seeking land owners who are committed to coexistence farming practices with kangaroos to contribute to this project.
Contact Campaign Manager Dennis Vink
Email: dennis@kangaroosalive.org
1 For example, see: Pooley, Simon, Saloni Bhatia, and Anirudhkumar Vasava. "Rethinking the study of human–wildlife coexistence." Conservation Biology 35.3 (2021): 784-793.
2 Hazzah, L. E. E. L. A., S. A. L. I. S. H. A. Chandra, and S. T. E. P. H. A. N. I. E. Dolrenry. "Leaping forward the need for innovation in wildlife conservation." Human-wildlife interactions: turning conflict into coexistence (2019): 359-383.
3 Keesing F, et al. 2018. Consequences of integrating livestock and wildlife in an African savanna. Nature Sustainability 1: 566-573.
4 Ngama, Steeve, et al. "How bees deter elephants: Beehive trials with forest elephants (Loxodonta africana cyclotis) in Gabon." PLoS One 11.5 (2016): e0155690; King, Lucy E., et al. "Beehive fences as a multidimensional conflict‐mitigation tool for farmers coexisting with elephants." Conservation Biology 31.4 (2017): 743-752.
5 van de Water, Antoinette, et al. "Beehive fences as a sustainable local solution to human‐elephant conflict in Thailand." Conservation Science and Practice 2.10 (2020): e260.
6 Bengtsson, J., et al. "Grasslands—more important for ecosystem services than you might think." Ecosphere 10.2 (2019): e02582.
7 Guevara-Torres, Diego R., and José M. Facelli. "Choose Local: Dung Addition from Native Herbivores Can Produce Substantial Positive Effects on the Growth of Native Grasses Compared to Livestock Dung." Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition (2023): 1-9.
This program has been developed in partnership with ‘Kangaroos Alive ' and the ‘University of Technology Sydney’
