How many kangaroos are there in Australia nowadays ???

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waashaa

The 2002 population estimate for the commercially harvested kangaroo species released by the federal government puts their numbers at 58.6 million. This means there are more than twice as many kangaroos in Australia as there are cattle (28.7 million). It also means the total kangaroo population is a little more than half that of the Australian sheep population (113.3 million) (ABARE 2002).

Aussie

I'll go along with the official stats already quoted but it has set my mind to thinking WHO did the count !
I mean , think about it ! Those things move like greased lightening , are spread right throughout the country , don't fill out official census forms...how the heck does someone come up with a definitive answer!
Does some bespectacled little nerd of a public servant wander around the country , clipboard in hand asking their names , family history , who belongs to who ?
C'mon...if that's how it's done , I want the job!

Elizabeth

Approx 58.6 million kangaroos.
(On 13 July 2007 at 08:59:20 (Canberra time), the resident human population of Australia is projected to be: 21,011,084 - from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.)

The current kangaroo population is the highest ever recorded and it unquestionably makes kangaroos amongst the most common large wild land mammals on earth.

Kangaroo Industry Background
John Kelly, B. Ru Sci. (Hons),
Kangaroo Industries Association of Australia.
http://www.kangaroo-industry.asn.au/morinfo/BACKGR1.HTM#1

1. Kangaroo Populations
There are 48 species of macropods (kangaroos) in Australia.
The federal government puts their numbers at 58.6 million. This means there are more than twice as many kangaroos in Australia as there are cattle (28.7 million). It also means the total kangaroo population is a little more than half that of the Australian sheep population (113.3 million)

orlanka

The exact number of kangaroos in Australia is impossible to determine, but the population of the 4 most common species is thought to be around 50 million.

tentofield

There are more kangaroos in Australia today than there were at the time of European settlement. Some species, particularly some of the wallabies, are endangered but the big ones are not under any threat. Most species are completely protected. Shooting licences are issued only for the most common species.

The_Mouse

I'd believe it! There 's a LOT of roos in Australia.
As orlanka said, it's NOT possible to go and count them. But as Aussie reckoned, there may have been a bunch of public servants gone around taking census. Who knows what the Australian Bureau of statistics is capable of these days? Last Census we had - people can do it ONLINE ON THE NIGHT of the census - so cooool!! (I also did it online!)

From work and home - I drive past two towns and I can see at least 300 roos - along that 20 minutes drive alone. And that is only where I can see them from the road. I even hit one three weeks ago - stupid animal - jump in front of my car! No way I can avoid it! VERY VERY lucky for me it only broke the headlight cover. They usually cause a lot more damage than that! I was SOOOO lucky.

Considering Australia is the size of continental USA, 60 million is VERY possible.

waltzsingmatilda2

Hi,there are more than 60 different species
of "Roos" here and there numbers change,depend on the conditions at the time eg drought,floods ect.
Also take into account roos are a big export for there meat as well as there pelts this has a lot to do with there head count.
NOTE a female roo can hold there pregnant for up to Seven ( 7) to allow for bad years, than give birth to a "Joey" so you can see there will never be wiped out.
60 million to me is about right give or take
a few.
Hope this helps. Waltz.

banditoau

Not inthe Cities their isn;t but in rural Australia out in the bush the Kangaroos are out of control, dont know about 60 mill but they are starting kulling because they are everywhere.

West Aussie Chick

Bloody millions!!

sarah m

i think the point should be that there are enough for someone to decide that the animal that resides on our coat of arms is being culled because they take feed away from livestock!

Joanna G

Can you count the stars ?? it's impossible to really know however I heard similar to you, that is the ones that managed to get counted. they can be a real pain for farmers and the enviroment especially inland.

Ken E

60 million is extremely possible. Roo counts would be done by low flying aircraft using statistical sampling techniques.

Aussie - not all public servants are bespectacled nerds, you can't do without them whether they are or not in any case.

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