Grey Kangaroos

Kangaroos

About a dozen or so years ago, we had some visitors from Sussex in England to visit. Like most tourists to Australia, they wanted to see some kangaroos in the wild. "We could organize that! Easy."

We set off about 5.30 in the afternoon towards Tooborac and just after Pyalong turned into Paddy's Dam Road. We drove for about fifteen minutes until we came to some open paddocks, bordering on the Pukapunyal army land and waited. No kangaroos that night. When it became too dark to see, we came home.

Our visitors were very disappointed. So at about 6.00 in the morning we set off to Paddy's Dam Road once again. This time we were successful. Across a bit of a gully, about one hundred and fifty yards away we could see a few grey lumps against the sparse green grass. They did move, a little; but they really were kangaroos. Our visitors were happy.

Oh how things have changed. A few weeks ago, I had a friend from Namibia out to visit. Eino is a tall, dark member of the Oshiwambo community. He was in Melbourne completing his Masters degree in Education. As well as being a wonderful leader in the Namibian education system, Eino is also a farmer. He and his family farm long horned African cattle in the desert country along the Angolan border. In this country there are giraffes, lions, zebras, wildebeests, rhinoceros, and all the other large African animals we hear about. The farmers in this area complain of broken fences, dead livestock, trampled crops and dangerous meetings on bush tracks. Look up Etosha on Google and you will see the Oshiwambo country.


Well, despite all those wondrous animals in his own country, all Eino wanted was to see kangaroos. "We could organize that! Easy. There are plenty in the Monument Hill area"


Our home is adjacent to the golf course. It is  suburban Kilmore, close to the Monument Hill Reserve. We sat down to a bit of lunch before our walk to look for these famous kangaroos. As we ate, Eino was looking  out of a window. He jumped excitedly and said "Look!Look!Look". Sitting on our lawn were half a dozen young grey kangaroos, looking at us through he window as they grazed.

We did go for a walk later. Kangaroos, kangaroos, they are everywhere. Our Monument Hill is full of them. They are in the town, on the main road  and along the creek. One morning I had to chase a kangaroo out of a school yard so the children could go out to play. They are becoming a real problem for some people; for walkers, for dog owners, horse riders and to cars. I  heard  story the other day of a cyclist being knocked off his bike by a kangaroo.

But at the same time we must remember how lucky to have so much of our wildlife around us. Many people in other countries, only get to see their native animals in zoos. We do live in beautiful land. Let's do all we can to keep it that way

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