Wildlife rescuers are urging people to be on the look out for kangaroos that appear “high” or drunk.
Macedon Ranges Wildlife Network shared a video of a disorientated kangaroo on its Facebook page last week, urging the public to call its rescuers if they see kangaroos behaving in a similar manner.
The network said the kangaroo was suffering from phalaris poisoning, a fatal condition that is the result of kangaroos eating phalaris grass that grows along roadsides, in farm paddocks and along waterways.
Macedon Ranges Wildlife Network vice president Karl Dawson said phalaris was a native grass that was only toxic at certain times of the year.
He said it appeared to only affect kangaroos in certain regions. Macedon Ranges Wildlife Network rescuers have reported being called out to help kangaroos in Sunbury and Bolinda in recent weeks.
Other animal rescue groups have reported being called to affected kangaroos in Lancefield, and as far afield as Craigieburn and Epping.
Kangaroos who eat the grass and are affected suffer from head tremors, a loss of co-ordination and collapse. The condition causes them to appear disorientated like they are drunk or “high”, and gives them the ability to jump higher than usual.
Mr Dawson said he had been called out to about six cases of phalaris poisoning. He said there was no known cure.
“So far the ‘treatment’ has unfortunately been euthanasia,” Mr Dawson said.
The wildlife network has sent the bodies of the kangaroos it has been called out to for testing in the hope that a cure can be discovered.
Anyone who notices a disorientated kangaroo is asked to contact wildlife rescuers on 1300 094 535.
