Australian Native Wildlife - Eastern Grey Kangaroo
January 26th 2009 04:16
Eastern Grey Kangaroos are the only kangaroo species found on the Gold Coast, although other macropods include various wallabies bettongs, potoroos and pademelons.. Kangaroos mostly inhabit the Gold Coast hinterland, ‘the green behind the gold’, but occasionally stray into suburbia.
According to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary Senior Vet, Dr Michael Pyne, an alarming number of native wildlife being brought to the Community Wildlife Hospital at the Sanctuary.
“Unfortunately a number of the wild animals brought into the hospital do not survive, which can be prevented if owners of domestic cats and dogs make small life saving changes,” Dr Pyne said.
Possums, kangaroos, wallabies and koalas are the most common animals treated by the hospital as a result of dog attacks, while birds, reptiles and smaller marsupials are falling victim to cat attacks.
“Wildlife trying to escape attack can also need hospital care after being displaced from their nest or being hit by a car while trying to get away,” he said.
Eastern Grey Kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) stand one metre tall and can weigh up to 50kg. They are a uniform grey with a paler underside and a black tail tip. Widespread along the east coast of Australia their preferred environment is open forest with a grassy understorey.
Wild eastern grey kangaroos are suitable for eating, but a young animal should be selected. The meat is rich in nutrients with very little fat, and tastes slightly gamey. There is little meat on the upper body but the hind provides some quality cuts including the loin, rump and tail.
Kangaroo meat can be used in recipes for goat or lamb, or any game recipe such as venison or rabbit. Kangaroo tail soup can be made using the recipe for oxtail soup. Serve kangaroo with red wine or beer.
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