The Department for Environment and Water (DEW) stepped up its annual kangaroo count earlier this month, with the use of helicopter-mounted thermal imaging cameras.
Senior Kangaroo Ecologist at DEW, Amanda McLean said this was the first time the technology had been used in the Lower South East region.
Dr McLean said the survey included a helicopter flying at low-levels, along with ground-based observers, to count kangaroos in the South East between 30 May and 10 June.
“By using thermal imaging technology, the State’s aerial kangaroo survey will provide more valuable insights into kangaroo numbers, which will help inform harvest quotas across the State for the coming year,” she said.
“By using thermal imaging cameras, we can get a more accurate detection of animals that may be partially obscured by vegetation.
“This will be particularly valuable in the South East where kangaroos are often living amongst many pine and blue gum plantations.”
Dr McLean said DEW would also undertake an aeroplane-based aerial survey from today (20 June) to Friday 15 July to estimate kangaroo populations across the northern parts of the State.
She said the northern aerial survey would also include the Gawler Ranges, Kingoonya, Marla-Oodnadatta, North East Pastoral and Eastern Districts harvest sub-regions.
“The survey will allow the Department to determine kangaroo response to the recent break of drought conditions over the pastoral lands, particularly as there have been significant falls of rain north of Glendambo and Kingoonya this year,” Dr McLean said.
Further information on kangaroo conservation and management can be accessed at this PS News link.
