Myponga Kangaroos

“When our Australian wildlife numbers increase issues can arise”.

As I round the bend and travel through the valley bridging the ocean and the inland, the fog appears to thicken. That sense of anticipation arises and the hope you may get a great image after what was a 4.30 am exit from bed seems positive. As a wildlife photographer, sleeping is a rare thing and you get used to being up before sunrise. Early nights to bed are all too common and is generally done by 8.30 pm

 My 20s and 30s were all about burning the candle and it was common practice to get 4-5 hour’s sleep four out of seven days a week. I was never an early morning type of guy and loved being up late. For twenty years I spent nights in clubs and pubs playing gigs and often would not rise until midday the following day. That’s the past and now I love getting up early to see the sun rise.

 This morning’s mission is to photograph the Western Grey Kangaroo and capture some of its behaviour. No two days are the same and what can seem like a great day can leave you empty-handed depending on conditions and other factors. Go in with little expectation and you can find yourself sifting through gems and doing image edits for the next 24hrs with a big bag full of fantastic images. It’s like a fishing expedition you never know what you are going to bag.

The Myponga area and the wildlife.

 Living among the picturesque landscapes of the Myponga Reservoir, the colony of Western Grey Kangaroos has grown to a sizable number over the past years. Green pastures and a secure safe environment are the perfect conditions for these guys to exist in healthy numbers.

 What do the surroundings give to the local kangaroos, residents, and the people that travel to the area for recreational activities? Is it just a draw card to attract visitors to the area or is it a man-made environment that has given the colony a safe place to exist amongst nature? With the opening of the reservoir in 2019 for recreational activities the Kangaroos are certainly a draw card for those wishing to relax and enjoy the surroundings. You can take a peaceful stroll around the reservoir and get a sense you are in god’s country, with plentiful birds and wildlife visible in the area.

I have spent dozens of hours observing and photographing the behaviour of these magnificent creatures and watching how they interact with their surrounding and the people that frequent the area. One tip is to keep your distance for your own safety and the safety of the colony. Although they seem very friendly you may find you strike a day they are either protecting their young of feeling threatened by people getting to close. Although rare they can do damage……

Current numbers directly around the reservoir and surrounding farmland is thought to be in the hundreds if not thousands. Take a casual stroll through the region and you will certainly see up to a hundred on any given day. Are they a problem in the region is the question in such numbers and what is the harm they can cause In the Fleurieu region? It’s a sad fact but western grey kangaroos are considered a primary impact-causing native animals in the area.

Why western grey kangaroos are considered impact-causing in the Hills and Fleurieu?

 Western grey kangaroos have been increasing in abundance in the region for many years. It is estimated there are over 45,000 western grey kangaroos in the Hills and Fleurieu region.

 In many areas, grazing pressure impacts are more attributable to kangaroos than pests such as feral goats, deer and rabbits. Western grey kangaroos cost the agricultural industry millions of dollars each year and can pose a significant threat to biodiversity and landscape health. They can cause significant damage to crops, prevent regeneration of native vegetation and impact our ecosystems. 

 Let’s hope these guys can continue to live safely in the region and that their numbers do not continue to get out of control. Like many species, they need to live in balance with other native wildlife and the people farming in the region. RAA data showed that 70% of all collisions in the area were a result of kangaroos inhabiting the region. A sad fact you see all too often laying on the side of the road when you drive through the area.

 Let’s hope these beautiful creatures can continue to live safely and in harmony in the Myponga region and Fleurieu peninsula, for everyone to enjoy when they visit the region.

 To be cont.

 Check out my blog on a day in the life of a Wildlife photographer with a Mob of Western Kangaroos.

Due 28August 2023.