Baseline haematology, blood chemistry and acute phase protein parameters have not previously been published for free-ranging eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus). Eight eastern grey kangaroos, including three adult males, three adult females and two subadult males from two different populations, were examined. Assays assessed the antibacterial activity of kangaroo serum against one Gram-positive and three Gram-negative bacteria. The kangaroo serum had a strong antibacterial response to Klebsiella pneumoniae, and moderate responses to Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The presence and level of acute phase proteins, haptoglobin and serum amyloid A in kangaroos was investigated. Haptoglobin and serum amyloid A were present in kangaroo serum, but only haptoglobin was elevated in a kangaroo with capture myopathy and necrotic wounds. The findings of this study provide preliminary data on health parameters of free-ranging eastern grey kangaroos. These parameters can be used to assist in assessing health in free-ranging populations.

Background Roads have major ecological impacts on wildlife. Vehicle collisions most frequently impact large herbivores due to their larger home range compared to smaller animals, and higher population density compared to carnivores. Kangaroos (Macropus spp.) account for a large proportion of reported wildlife vehicle collisions that occur in N S W, Australia. We aimed to evaluate what influenced road mortality of eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) in a temperate rural/suburban region. The location of roadkilled kangaroos found on or near two 1 km stretches of road in Richmond NSW was recorded throughout 2014 and 2015. Weather and moon phase data were recorded for the date of each roadkilled kangaroo. Transects were setup on both roads, and multiple road and landscape features, including the width of roadside, fence construction, habitat type, and distance from street lights measured at 50 m intervals. Data were analyzed to explore which landscape features and temporal factors influenced the occurrence of a roadkill hotspot. Results More kangaroo road mortalities occurred during periods of low temperature and low rainfall, and these factors are likely to affect forage quality. Fewer mortalities occurred when rain was falling. A greater number of mortalities occurred during the waning gibbous phase of the lunar cycle. Significantly more road mortalities occurred a short distance from the end of a section of street lights. Conclusions The findings suggest that illumination influences the likelihood of kangaroo road mortalities. Large herbivores are particularly sensitive to habitat fragmentation because they need unrestricted access to large continuous habitat. Knowledge of factors that influence where and when kangaroos are most likely to cross roads can be used to inform more targeted management strategies and improve future road design and habitat connectivity to reduce the incidence of wildlife vehicle collisions.

Many species have adapted their behaviour to survive in anthropogenically developed environments (hereafter referred to as developed). Eastern grey kangaroos Macropus giganteus are common in developed areas, however very few studies have evaluated their behavioural adaptations to developed landscapes. This study compared the behaviour of eastern grey kangaroos in a developed environment to those surrounded by a natural environment. Data were collected using infra-red camera traps that recorded one minute videos. Population density was calculated using pellet counts. The population of eastern grey kangaroos at the developed site had a higher density, spent more time in larger groups, and had an earlier peak activity time than those at the natural site. More vigilance and less feeding were observed at the developed site. A positive relationship between population density and group size was observed. The higher population density at the developed site is likely to be due to increased resources and restricted dispersal. Kangaroos in developed environments may be active earlier in the day in response to human activity occurring later in the day, and artificial lighting (street lighting) likely impacted nocturnal activity. Increased vigilance may be due to increased human activity, and visual barriers in developed landscapes that reduce the line of sight. Reduced feeding time is probably due to the increased nutritional content of pasture grasses at the developed site. Knowledge of the behavioural differences of kangaroos in developed areas will assist in designing management strategies.

Macropods are susceptible to capture myopathy. A post mortem examination, and haematological and blood chemistry analysis was conducted on a male eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) believed to have capture myopathy. Changes in blood chemistry and necrosis of muscle tissue are the most prevalent sign of myopathy in eastern grey kangaroos.

Camera traps are frequently used in wildlife research and may be a useful tool for monitoring behavioural patterns. The suitability of camera traps to monitor behaviour depends on the size, locomotion, and behaviour of the species being investigated. The suitability of cameras for documenting the behaviour of eastern grey kangaroos was assessed here by comparing activity patterns collected using cameras to published activity patterns for the species. The activity patterns calculated from camera trap data were largely consistent with data from previous studies, although nocturnal activity appeared to be under-represented. Observations of unusual fighting behaviour illustrates the potential for camera traps to enable capture of novel observations. Kangaroo behaviour appeared to be influenced by the presence of cameras; however, no kangaroos retreated from cameras. Data suggested that kangaroos became habituated to cameras after eight months. The findings of this study suggest that camera traps are suitable for assessing the diurnal activity of eastern grey kangaroos and are useful tools for documenting their behaviour.