SAVE THE TASMANIAN FORESTER KANGAROO

The Tasmanian Forester kangaroo is a sub-species of the Eastern Grey Kangaroo found only the island of Tasmania which is located south of Australia. This unique species is separated from the Eastern Grey based on the differences in its skull. Studies have shown that overall their is less than 1% difference in the DNA between the two kangaroos.
The Forester kangaroo can best be described as light brown to full gray coated mammal. They grow to be over 6.5 feet in height and 130 lbs. in weight in their adult lives. This makes them the largest of all Tasmanian marsupials. They have small front limbs with five fingers and strong legs that enable them to jump efficiently. They can jump over 30 feet in a single bound, thus making it the ideal form of locomotion. The Forester kangaroo has a long tail used for balance and stability between movements. Other physical characteristics include ears they swivel in all directions for focused hearing as well as excellent senses of smell and sight.
This species lives on grasslands and open woodlands. Their preferred habitat of dry forest is where they eat a herbivore diet consisting of shrubs, herbs, water, and grass. The silica vitamin in grass is abrasive to their teeth and therefore these kangaroos have developed special teeth. Their incisors allow them to cut grass close to the ground. Once their molars are ground down they fall out and are replaced.
Tasmanian Forester kangaroos engage in social behaviours among themselves. They live in small groups called "mobs". These mobs include once dominant male, 2/3 females, 2/3 young males and baby kangaroos. In order to gain entry to these mobs and dominate, males become aggressive and fight each other.

Unfortunately the population of Tasmanian Forester Kangaroos has reduced 90% since the 1800's. They've faced obstacles such as the arrival of humans in Australia, as well as the introduction of dingoes. This species has adapted as a means of survival but the loss and reconstruction of their habitat, for agricultural expansion has contributed to their endangerment. Unsupervised hunting has also made in impact in the decline of kangaroos. Currently the total Forester Kangaroo population is estimated at 26,000 being with 30% considered to be young kangaroos. The sum of adults is around 18,000.
Drastic measures have taken place in order to sustain the amount of existing kangaroos while ensuring the re-growth of the species in the future. During the 1970's Tasmanian Forester kangaroos were captured and relocated to locations now know as Maria Island, Three Hummock Island, Kempton, and Narawntapu National Park. ``Mount William National Park was purchased in the early 70's in effort to raise and help monitor the kangaroo population. The addition of 18,439 hectares to the former farm in 2000 was made under the Regional Forest Agreement according to Australian Government representatives. In present times Tasmanian Forester kangaroos are protected by the Australian government. They are classified as "protected native wildlife" under the Tasmanian Nature Conservation Act 2002, white most of their range residing on private property.`` (Australian Government, 2007)