What’s new on the Golf Course:
23 February, 2014 Eastern Grey Kangaroos
Rainer Ebel,
7114 Marine Dr. East, Sanctuary Cove, 4212; eckebel
at gmail.com.
My gratitude is extended to Wendy
Nelson, and Stephen Macdonald who kindly consented to act as recorders during
these reconnaissance missions.
Yup numbers went up this week!
|
Table 1.
Weekly gender distribution of Eastern Grey Kangaroos on the Palms and
Pines
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||||||||
|
Jan 12
|
19
|
26
|
Feb 05
|
11
|
16
|
23
|
Average
|
|
|
Total
|
171
|
287
|
392
|
328
|
343
|
310
|
385
|
323
|
|
Male
|
39
|
44
|
65
|
51
|
82
|
81
|
89
|
63
|
|
Female
|
147
|
151
|
183
|
158
|
152
|
131
|
171
|
150
|
|
Joey
|
17
|
29
|
63
|
48
|
32
|
23
|
24
|
35
|
|
Joey In Pouch
|
23
|
36
|
46
|
44
|
47
|
49
|
62
|
42
|
|
Unclassified
|
32
|
27
|
35
|
29
|
30
|
26
|
39
|
34
|
|
Marked
|
14
|
28
|
45
|
23
|
30
|
40
|
28
|
29
|
|
% marked
|
5.49
|
8.9
|
11.5
|
7
|
6.70
|
12.9
|
7.3
|
9
|
|
% Unmarked
|
94.51
|
91.1
|
88.5
|
93
|
93.3
|
87.1
|
92.7
|
91
|
|
Pines
|
240
|
226
|
357
|
316
|
323
|
292
|
370
|
303
|
|
Palms
|
15
|
22
|
45
|
12
|
20
|
18
|
15
|
21
|
Our survey on 23 February produced
385 Eastern Grey Kangaroos composed of 89 males, 171 females, 24 joeys, 62 joey-in-pouch,
39 unclassified and 28 were previously tagged (marked). Table 1 shows the gender distribution and
comparison of the golf course kangaroo population. The sex ratio of females to males is
approximately 2:1. These numbers
approximate the totals obtained on 26 January. This does not include a survey of the area in
the restricted area east of the 13th nor estimated 55 to 60 animals that may normally reside there.
If we include the 50
or so kangas from the restricted that would mean that the population is well
over the 400 mark. This was not seen in 2013 when we counted numbers between 250 to 300 animals. I will have to
have a closer look at the numbers to determine exactly the percentage increase
of the kangaroos our initial count year.
The
distribution of gender and age groups as an average percentage appears in
Figure 2. For category definitions,
refer to an earlier publication on the web. Under current conditions, the population trend
for the golf course kangaroo population suggests an increase for the Pines and
Palms. Physical barriers such as roads and housing developments contain the
population but there is strong evidence that these animals are moving in and
out of the golf course. Perhaps what we
need is a coordinated effort by some of the residents, lets say resident mass
count in the residential areas, the golf courses, the restricted area, and the
fields outside our fences. Dreaming, right!
And so, I continue the surveys! Any takers? The numbers we generate are our best estimate
based 1-2-3 method of counting. Just remember these are surveys and even though
we try not to double count it happens especially when people are walking on the
golf course and, for even a moment, do not give way to our efforts. Once these animals scatter into the Pines
kangaroos become difficult to locate, blending into their surrounds.
It is still safe to say that the majority (93%) of Eastern
Greys hang out in the Pines while, perhaps a more sun tolerant group prefer the
Palms. Numbers of roos on the Palms are fairly consistent averaging around 21 animals
. Until next week- THEY ARE NOT JUST KANGAS!
