Low-level flights surveying kangaroo numbers

The Department of environment, Land, Water and Planning (DeLWP) is carrying out low-level aerial kangaroo surveys across the state, which will wrap up at the end of this month.

Covering the whole of Victoria, except the heavily forested areas of east Gippsland, the September 11-31 survey will provide important information about the estimated abundance and status of Victoria’s kangaroo populations.

The results of the survey will provide a better understanding of the population distribution of Victoria’s three kangaroo species, the eastern Grey Kangaroo, Western Grey Kangaroo and Red Kangaroo.

People may notice a helicopter flying at about 200 feet (about 60 metres) above ground level, at a speed of 50 knots, conducting the aerial survey using distance sampling across known habitat.

Given the large geographic area to be covered, an aerial survey is the only feasible method of estimating population sizes for kangaroo species in Victoria.

To further determine the ratio of eastern Grey to Western Grey Kangaroos, a ground survey from a vehicle will be conducted in the parts of the state where their distributions overlap.

This is the first statewide kangaroo population survey for Victoria and will assist DeLWP to ensure kangaroo management activities in Victoria are sustainable.

The design of the survey has been developed by DeLWP’s Arthur Rylah Institute for environmental Research.

For more information, phone DeLWP via the Customer Service Centre on 131 186 or email [email protected].