KANGAROO INVASION: Fears of 'mega-herd' crossing into Australian mainland

Wildlife authorities are on alert for a possible kangaroo invasion of the Australian mainland, amid fears of a 'mega-herd' crossing the border from Tasmania.

There are concerns that the kangaroos, which have been proliferating in Tasmania in recent years thanks to a lack of natural predators, could establish themselves on the mainland and compete with local wildlife for food and territory.

"The fear is that we could see a mega-herd numbering in the tens of thousands move onto the mainland," said one wildlife expert. "This would have serious consequences for our native species."

Already, there have been reports of kangaroos grazing on farmlands near the Tasmanian border, and experts warn that they could spread further into Victoria and New South Wales if they are not stopped.

Authorities are currently considering a range of options to deal with the kangaroos, including culling them or relocating them to other parts of Tasmania. However, any such measures will be costly and controversial.

For now, it seems that the kangaroos are here to stay, and Australians will just have to learn to live with them.

KANGAROO CRISIS: Pet owners warned over population explosion

Australians have been warned of an impending "kangaroo crisis" as the population of the iconic creatures skyrockets.

There are now estimated to be around 50 million kangaroos in Australia, up from around 33 million in 2011, according to a new report by environmental group Humane Society International (HSI).

That's putting a serious strain on the country's resources, with experts warning that the population explosion could lead to mass starvation and disease.

"The Kangaroo Population Bomb report paints a stark picture of what could happen if kangaroo management is not overhauled soon," said HSI's Head of Australian Programs Nicola Beynon.

"Kangaroos are already consuming far more than their fair share of food and water, leading to shortages and fuelling wild dog attacks on livestock. At this rate, we could see widespread starvation and disease among kangaroos within 10 years."

Invasive species expert Prof Gordon Grigg told The Guardian that the situation was "critical", with options for managing the population including culling or sterilising kangaroos.

"If we don't do something about it we're going to have major welfare issues with starving animals," he said. "We're going to have problems with them competing with livestock for food and water, and we're going to see increases in diseases."

Australians have been warned of an impending "kangaroo crisis" as the population of the iconic creatures skyrockets. There are now estimated to be around 50 million kangaroos in Australia, up from around 33 million in 2011, according to a new report by environmental group Humane Society International (HSI). That's putting a serious strain on the country's resources, with experts warning that the population explosion could lead to mass starvation and disease.

KANGAROOS IN COURT: Surplus animals causing problems for farmers

Farmers are frustrated with the high numbers of kangaroos on their properties, saying they are damaging crops and costing them money.

The Department of Environment and Heritage (DEH) is responsible for managing the kangaroo population, and says there are currently too many of the animals in the wild.

A spokesman for DEH said the department was working with farmers to find a solution to the problem.

"We understand that kangaroos can be a nuisance for farmers and we're doing what we can to manage their numbers," he said.

One option being considered is culling the animals, but that is proving to be controversial.

Farmers argue that culling is necessary to protect their businesses, while conservationists say the kangaroos are an important part of Australia's ecology and should not be killed.

The debate over how to deal with the kangaroo population is likely to continue for some time, but in the meantime, farmers are suffering significant losses.

KANGAROOS ON THE RISE: Population growth putting pressure on ecosystem

Kangaroos are one of the iconic Australian animals and their populations are booming, putting pressure on the ecosystem according to a new study by University of Technology Sydney (UTS) researchers.

The study, published in the journal Biological Conservation, found that kangaroo populations have increased by up to 350% in some areas over the past two decades. The increase is being attributed to a combination of factors, including hunting restrictions, climate change and improvements in living standards.

"The study provides good evidence that kangaroo populations are increasing and that this is likely to be causing some ecological impacts," said Dr Christopher Dickman from UTS's Faculty of Science, who led the research. "In particular, we found that kangaroos were outcompeting native herbivores for food."

Kangaroos primarily eat grasses, but they will also eat leaves, flowers and buds. They are an important part of Australia's ecology as they help to spread seeds and clip tall grasses, which helps to keep the environment healthy.

However, when there are too many kangaroos in an area they can compete with other animals for food and other resources, leading to declines in their numbers. This can have a cascading effect on the whole ecosystem.

"While kangaroos are relatively adaptable animals and can survive in a range of habitats, it's clear that their population growth is starting to have an impact on local ecosystems," said Dr Dickman.

The researchers suggest that managing kangaroo populations through culling or contraception may be necessary in order to protect Australia's delicate ecology.

KANGAROO CONSPIRACY: Government accused of covering up planned cull

For years, rumours have circulated that the Australian government is in the process of secretly culling kangaroos. The allegations reached a fever pitch this week when a prominent senator went public with accusations that the government is covering up a planned kangaroo cull.

Senator John Williams, from Queensland, says he has evidence that the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources is in the process of "ordering large numbers" of bullets for use in a kangaroo cull. He also claims to have evidence that the department has been stockpiling hay and grain in preparation for a mass slaughter of the country's kangaroos.

Department officials have denied all of Senator Williams' allegations, claiming that they are nothing more than baseless conspiracy theories. They say that the department has no intention of carrying out a kangaroo cull, and that the recent purchase of bullets was made solely for the purpose of conducting animal research.

However, many Australians remain unconvinced by these denials. There is a long history of distrust between Australians and their government, and many people seem to believe that the government is capable of anything when it comes to dealing with kangaroos.

The controversy over the alleged kangaroo cull has sparked renewed debate about how best to manage Australia's booming kangaroo population. Some experts argue that a controlled culling program is necessary in order to protect Australia's agricultural industry, while others claim that kangaroos can be managed without resorting to violence.

Whatever your opinion on the matter, it's clear that there is a lot of tension surrounding the issue of kangaroo management in Australia. This controversy is likely to continue for some time, as both sides present their arguments and try to win over public opinion.