Macropus fuliginosus

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	MAMMALIA	DIPROTODONTIA	MACROPODIDAE

Scientific Name:

Macropus fuliginosus

Species Authority:

(Desmarest, 1817)

Common Name/s:

English

–

Western Gray Kangaroo, Kangaroo Island Western Grey Kangaroo, Western Grey Kangaroo

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Least Concern ver 3.1

Year Assessed:

2008

Assessor/s

Burbidge, A., Menkhorst, P., Ellis, M. & Copley, P.

Evaluator/s:

Lamoreux, J. & Hilton-Taylor, C. (Global Mammal Assessment Team)

Justification:
Listed as Least Concern in view of its wide distribution, presumed large population, occurrence in a number of protected areas, and because it is not in decline.

History:

1996

–

Lower Risk/least concern (Baillie and Groombridge 1996)

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	This species is endemic to southern Australia, where it is widespread from the Indian Ocean in the west to western Victoria and New South Wales (Coulson 2008). The subspecies Macropus fuliginosus fuliginosus is endemic to Kangaroo Island (South Australia). The range is expanding in mainland South Australia, and expanding eastward within New South Wales.
Countries:	Native: Australia
Range Map:	(click map to view full version)

Population [top]

Population:	It is an abundant species that is subject to commercial take under nationally approved management plans. The population estimate for areas subject to commercial harvest (which does not cover the species' entire range) in 2005 was 5,251,000 animals (P. Mawson pers. comm.).
Population Trend:	Increasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	This species is found in various types of open woodland, scrubland, and grassland areas. It occurs in pastureland.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	There are no major threats to this species. The population has expanded markedly in recent decades. In addition to commercial take permits, animals may be shot under license to prevent damage to crops or pasture.

Major Threat(s):

There are no major threats to this species. The population has expanded markedly in recent decades. In addition to commercial take permits, animals may be shot under license to prevent damage to crops or pasture.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	The species is present in many protected areas and is well protected by national legislation. This species has the longest running monitoring program of any Australian vertebrate.

Conservation Actions:

The species is present in many protected areas and is well protected by national legislation. This species has the longest running monitoring program of any Australian vertebrate.

Citation:	Burbidge, A., Menkhorst, P., Ellis, M. & Copley, P. 2008. Macropus fuliginosus. In: IUCN 2008. 2008 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 09 January 2009.
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