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This image shows kangaroos in a natural bush setting on a rural Australian property. Kangaroos are a common part of the landscape, and their presence highlights the interaction between native wildlife and agricultural environments. In some regions, high kangaroo numbers can contribute to grazing pressure and pasture competition, making wildlife‑aware land‑management strategies important for maintaining healthy ecosystems and productive farmland

Our Kangaroo Management Approach

Effective kangaroo management requires a regulated, humane and site‑specific approach, undertaken only where authorised. Management programs are designed to address over‑abundance impacts while ensuring animal welfare standards are met and native wildlife is treated ethically and responsibly.


Licensed and authorized operators may undertake kangaroo management activities that include:


  • Property assessment and population impact review to determine the need for management
  • Approval support and compliance planning, ensuring all required NSW permits and conditions are met
  • Humane control methods, carried out strictly in accordance with NSW animal welfare codes
  • Night or low‑disturbance operations, where permitted, to minimize stress and disruption
  • Safety and risk management planning, particularly around livestock, dwellings and public access areas


All activities are conducted only where lawful, with strict regard for safety, species protection and animal welfare outcome requirements.

key signs of kangaroo activity


Kangaroos leave very distinctive tracks, scats, grazing patterns, pads, and fence damage. Their signs are usually easy to identify due to their size and movement style.

1. Tracks (Most Distinctive Sign)

Kangaroo tracks are unique and easy to recognize.

Footprints

  • Large elongated hind‑foot prints (20–30 cm long depending on species)
  • Small circular front‑paw prints
  • Tail drag marks often visible between hind prints
  • Hind feet land together when hopping

Movement pattern

  • Parallel sets of hind‑foot prints
  • Tail mark running between them
  • When moving slowly, you may see a tripod pattern:
    • Tail mark
    • Two front paws
    • Then two hind paws

Tracks are commonly found:

  • Along fence lines
  • Around dams
  • On sandy or dusty vehicle tracks
  • In paddocks with short feed

2. Scats (Droppings)

Kangaroo scats are very distinctive.

Characteristics:

  • Oval, pellet‑like droppings
  • Typically 1–2 cm long
  • Firm, fibrous, and rounded
  • Found in scattered piles, not tight clusters
  • Colour varies with diet (greenish to dark brown)

Often found:

  • Near resting areas
  • Around feeding zones
  • Along travel routes

3. Grazing Damage

Kangaroos graze heavily and can compete with livestock.

Signs include:

  • Short, cropped pasture
  • Heavy grazing around water points
  • Bare patches forming in high‑traffic areas
  • Damage to new plantings, especially tree guards
  • Grazing height typically low, similar to sheep

Kangaroos prefer:

  • Fresh green pick
  • Lucerne
  • Cereal crops
  • Pasture regrowth after rain

4. Pads & Trails

Kangaroos create well‑defined movement paths.

Features:

  • Narrow, worn tracks through grass or scrub
  • Leading to water, shade, or feeding areas
  • Often used by multiple animals
  • Soil compacted from repeated hopping

These pads can become very obvious in dry periods.

5. Resting Sites (Camps)

Kangaroos rest in shaded or sheltered areas during the day.

Signs include:

  • Flattened grass or vegetation
  • Oval or irregular resting depressions
  • Scats nearby
  • Often under trees, shrubs, or in timbered areas

Large mobs create multiple resting spots.

6. Fence Damage

Kangaroos frequently damage fences when crossing.

Indicators:

  • Sagged or broken wires
  • Top wires pushed down
  • Posts loosened or leaning
  • Hair caught on wire
  • Gaps under fences where kangaroos push through

Damage is often repeated at the same crossing points.

7. Sightings & Behavioural Signs

Kangaroos are often seen:

  • Grazing at dawn/dusk
  • Resting in shade during the day
  • Moving in mobs near water or feed

Fresh sightings combined with tracks and scats confirm active use of the area.


Kangaroo Management Services for Rural NSW

Kangaroos are a protected native species in New South Wales, however in some rural and agricultural settings their populations can place significant pressure on pasture, fencing, water infrastructure and land condition. When kangaroo numbers exceed the carrying capacity of the land, overgrazing can contribute to pasture loss, soil erosion, reduced ground cover and competition with livestock, particularly during drought and dry seasonal conditions.


In these circumstances, lawful kangaroo management plays an important role in balancing animal welfare, agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability.


Under NSW legislation, kangaroos cannot be controlled without approval. Landholders must operate under an appropriate licence, permit or authority, such as an Authority to Control Wildlife (ATCW) or an approved commercial harvest arrangement. Any management activity must comply strictly with animal welfare requirements and approved operating conditions.

Benefits of Managed Kangaroo Control

Where authorized, professional kangaroo management can assist landholders to:


  • Reduce grazing pressure on pastures
  • Minimize competition between kangaroos and livestock
  • Protect ground cover and prevent soil erosion
  • Reduce damage to fencing and water points
  • Improve pasture recovery during dry seasons
  • Support balanced land management and sustainability outcomes

Ethical and Compliant Management

Across New South Wales, kangaroo management is increasingly recognized as a regulated land management tool, not a pest control activity. Each situation must be assessed individually, with management decisions based on environmental conditions, stocking rates, seasonal pressures and regulatory constraints.


By utilizing authorized, professional and ethically guided services, landholders can address over‑abundance impacts responsibly while meeting their legal obligations and supporting long‑term land health.

Ready to Protect Your Property? Get in Touch

Book a Kangaroo Management Assessment