Macropus giganteus

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 giganteus

Species Authority:

Shaw, 1790

Common Name/s:

English

–

Eastern Grey Kangaroo

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Least Concern ver 3.1

Year Assessed:

2008

Assessor/s

Munny, P., Menkhorst, P. & Winter, J.

Evaluator/s:

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

Justification:
Listed as Least Concern in view of its wide distribution, large population, occurrence in a number of protected areas, lack of major threats, 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 eastern mainland Australia and the island of Tasmania (introduced to Maria Island). On the mainland it ranges extensively from north-eastern Queensland (Cape York Peninsula) to south-eastern South Australia (including Fraser Island). It ranges in elevation from sea level to subalpine areas. The subspecies Macropus giganteus tasmaniensis is restricted to Eastern Tasmania (Barker and Caughley 1990).
Countries:	Native: Australia
Range Map:	(click map to view full version)

Population [top]

Population:	Mainland populations are abundant (Coulson 2008); these populations have expanded because of increased artificial water points for cattle. The abundance of M. g. tasmaniensis has been estimated between 10,000 and 20,000 animals (Maxwell et al. 1996).
Population Trend:	Stable

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	This species is found in sclerophyll forest, woodlands (including mallee scrub), shrubland and heathland (Coulson 2008); also occurs in agricultural lands, introduced grasslands and other modified landscapes. It is nocturnal, gregarious, and large mobs gather where food is abundant.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	There are no major threats to this species. Animals may be shot under license (in some states a license is not required) where they damage crops, pasture or fences. M. g. tasmaniensis is threatened by loss of habitat through agricultural clearing.

Major Threat(s):

There are no major threats to this species. Animals may be shot under license (in some states a license is not required) where they damage crops, pasture or fences. M. g. tasmaniensis is threatened by loss of habitat through agricultural clearing.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	The species is present in many protected areas and is protected by national legislation. Regulated harvesting takes place under the supervision of state and federal governments (the latter only manages harvesting when animals are exported).

Conservation Actions:

The species is present in many protected areas and is protected by national legislation. Regulated harvesting takes place under the supervision of state and federal governments (the latter only manages harvesting when animals are exported).

Citation:	Munny, P., Menkhorst, P. & Winter, J. 2008. Macropus giganteus. In: IUCN 2008. 2008 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 08 January 2009.
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