Kangaroo drownings in canal spark community concern
A bus driver noticed dead kangaroos floating in a canal on her route. Plastic sheeting on the banks of the waterway could be the cause.
Eight dead kangaroos have been found in a canal near the town of Nericon in Riverina, prompting community concern. Bus driver Anita Tovo, who has noticed an increase in dead kangaroos since the canal's lining with high-density polyethylene sheets in 2019, has contacted WIRES for advice. Murrumbidgee Irrigation, the responsible organization, claims they have installed fencing, cameras, and escape structures to prevent animal deaths.
However, WIRES spokesperson John Grant has stated that the closest volunteer is at least an hour away, and by the time they arrive, the kangaroos have already drowned. The issue lies in the lack of proper infrastructure, such as sloping edges and escape ramps, to allow kangaroos to escape the canal. Dr. Kylie Soanes, a research fellow in urban biodiversity at the University of Melbourne, suggests that waterway designs should consider native wildlife.
She also highlights the example of the Netherlands, which has implemented escape ramps and sloping edges to prevent animal deaths in canals. Despite WIRES' efforts to address the issue, no further action has been taken by Murrumbidgee Irrigation.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
