What's new on the Golf Course: 16 February 2014 Eastern Grey Kangaroos

A male bachelor pod on the Palms Golf Course

Rainer Ebel, 7114 Marine Dr. East, Sanctuary Cove, 4212; eckebel at gmail.com.

  Gratitude is extended to Wendy Nelson, and Stephen Macdonald who kindly consented to act as recorders during these reconnaissance missions.

                                   

Can anyone begin to understand the kangaroos on the golf courses?  If there is any dirt on any of them, I will take it.  Something is better than nothing and right now, I am coming up with nada.  I am beginning to exhaust my speculation pool.  With numbers in the three hundreds in the last four surveys I can only conclude that these pouch bags are not only having way too much fun but also taunting the surveyors.  They may be lazy and loafing about but damn, they are chuckling on the inside.  No paranoia here.  Just saying.

Table 1.  Weekly gender distribution of Eastern Grey Kangaroos for the Pines and Palms Golf Courses.
	Jan 12	Jan 19	Jan 26	Feb 05	Feb 11	Feb 16	Average
Total	255	248	392	328	343	310	313
Male	39	36	65	51	82	81	59
Female	147	109	183	158	152	131	147
Joey	17	38	63	48	32	23	37
Joey In Pouch	23	21	46	44	47	49	38
Uncl	32	44	35	29	30	26	33
Marked	14	22	45	23	30	40	29
% marked	5.49	8.87	11.48	7.01	6.70	12.90	9
%Unmarked	94.51	91.13	88.52	92.99	93.29	87.10	91
Pines	240	226	357	316	323	292	292
Palms	15	22	45	12	20	18	22

Our survey on 16 February produced 310 Eastern Grey Kangaroos composed of 81 males, 131 females, 23 joeys, 49 joey-in-pouch, 26 unclassified and 40 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 3:1 but this maybe obscured by the inclusion of sexed joey or immature kangaroos.  If these animals were removed then the number of mature, reproductively active males would increase the female: male sex ratio.  Elsewhere, in the wild, the sex ratio may be a 1:1 but not for this golf course and that may be somewhat problematic even if a percentage was sterilized in one way or another.  The distribution of gender and age groups as an average percentage appears in Figure 2. Classifying joeys is a challenge since it is subjective; the reality is that they are unclassified kangaroos but at times when they position themselves they can be sexed so this increases or decreases the male: female ratio.  However, joey-in-pouch counts have been consistent and by all accounts, another forty or so little ones are in the chute, in the manner of speaking.  How management will address these numbers will be a challenge to say the least.

For category definitions, refer to an earlier publication on the web.  The weekly survey totals since 12 January are presented in Figure 1.  Under current conditions, the trend for the golf course kangaroo population suggests an increase for the Pines and Palms.  However, it does not imply that numbers are or are about to increase beyond 500 animals but should plateau at some respectable level say 450. 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.  One area located in Sanctuary Cove west of Edgecliff Drive, near the bridge in an undeveloped grassy contains between 55 to 60 kangaroos.  This population appears different in behavior towards human intruders by avoidance and constant aloofness.  Members from this population were observed escaping their gated compound and bounding onto the Pines Golf Course.  Members from this population can potentially keep the golf course kangaroos flush with young animals.  Can you imagine 500 of these critters changing the colour of the greens? 

And so, more 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 hopeless.  And it does mean (by now the assistant is rolling their eyes and sighing very loud) that we should start the survey over . This is exceptionally time consuming and so, some conservative estimations are in order.  Kangaroos do not like dogs leashed or otherwise because they consider any four legged critter predators; unfortunately even the cutesy little bowed, diamond studded, bug eyed, out of breath, shiatsu. So please walkers and dog walkers, please be considerate.  It makes our life a tad easier if you stop –ask questions- I’d be happy to engage in dialogue.  Our systematic surveys produce constant numbers along with a minimum of constant variables.  This type of information is usable information that permits development of economical management practices for the kangaroo population on the golf courses.

Marked animals have been sexed but are not reported here. That will be done later.  For now, consider that about 8-9% of the kanga population is marked.  How that compares with the initial study I do not know.

It is safe to say that the majority (93%) of Eastern Greys hang out in the Pines while, perhaps a more sun tolerant gang of muscle boys prefer the Palms.  I really do not know the answer why but their locations on the Palm are quite predicable.  The one group near the 4^th on the Marine Drive W side consists primarily of 10 or so bachelor males while other sites on this same golf course have but single to small, 3-to 4 animal groupies.  Well, if you have a bit of a hankering for off beat studies consider the prospect of identifying the various kanga groups and their favourite clubhouses on the Pines and Palms.  What a coup for yourself and for the long-term management of a benevolent species.  Hey, give me a shout if you have any profound questions or solutions. I may not be able to answer them but I could encourage you to start seeking the answer.  Until next time week- THEY ARE NOT JUST KANGAS!