Kangaroos at maximum capacity: health assessment of free-ranging eastern grey kangaroos on a coastal headland.

Autor:	Brandimarti ME; School of Life and Environmental Science, The University of Sydney, JD Stewart Building, Camperdown, New South Wales 2006, Australia., Gray R; Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, McMaster Building, Camperdown, New South Wales 2006, Australia., Silva FRO; School of Life and Environmental Science, The University of Sydney, JD Stewart Building, Camperdown, New South Wales 2006, Australia., Herbert CA; School of Life and Environmental Science, The University of Sydney, JD Stewart Building, Camperdown, New South Wales 2006, Australia.
Jazyk:	angličtina
Zdroj:	Journal of mammalogy [J Mammal] 2021 Mar 30; Vol. 102 (3), pp. 837-851. Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 Mar 30 (Print Publication: 2021).
DOI:	10.1093/jmammal/gyab022
Abstrakt:	Sprawling urban development is fragmenting the landscape and native wildlife habitats on the Australian east coast. The impact of this rapid urbanization on wildlife health is largely unknown. This study surveyed the health of a high-density (5.4 individuals per ha) population of eastern grey kangaroos ( Macropus giganteus ) affected by urban encroachment and prolonged drought. Blood parameters (hematological and serum protein), trace element and heavy metal concentrations, and parasite counts (fecal worm egg counts, ticks, and mites) are reported for a sample of ≤ 54 kangaroos at Look at Me Now Headland, New South Wales, Australia. These parameters were compared to lower density kangaroo populations from other sites in New South Wales. We found the health and welfare of this population to be severely compromised, with nonregenerative anemia and nutritional deficiencies evident. Our results indicate that high-density kangaroo populations isolated by urban encroachment are at significant health risk. To prevent further decline in this population's health, we discuss management strategies that could be employed, concurrent with ongoing health and disease monitoring, to mitigate the poor health outcomes in this population. We conclude that it is essential to retain habitat connectivity when altering land use in areas with resident kangaroo populations if managers are to maintain healthy populations. (© The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society of Mammalogists.)
Databáze:	MEDLINE
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