Heartbreaking explanation for a kangaroo filmed acting erratically on the side of a highway
Kangaroos across NSW, Victoria and South Australia have been dying from 'Phalaris staggers' which is a neurological condition that causes tremors and makes them lose their balance and collapse.
Phalaris Aquatica is a crop grown to feed cattle and farmers can administer cobalt to their animals to protect them against the effects of Phalaris, but kangaroos are not given the preventative measure.
After eating the grass, kangaroos become confused, disoriented and can be seen staggering around and shaking their heads.
Leoni Sorrentino, from the volunteer group Wildlife Rescuers, told Daily Mail Australia that the problem had been around since the grass was introduced in the 19th century.
She said the kangaroos affected suffer tremendously after eating the weed.
'They just get worse and end up having a horrific death,' she said.
'We're not allowed to relocate them so it makes it really hard.'
Ms Sorrentino said kangaroos are most at risk of coming across the weed in times of drought, bushfires and in the cooler months from April to September.
She alone had to euthanise eight kangaroos last week and said she heard of another group who had to put down six more animals.
'This year has been the worst since I've been a rescuer,' she said.
'It's quite a hardy weed. Even in bushfires, it will grow before anything else grows. The roots are sweet so they continue to keep eating them.
'There's been no tests done on how it affects them, neurologically, so we don't know if it passes to joeys through mum's milk because they're coming in sick as well.'
Ms Sorrentino said the condition affected kangaroos so badly that they didn't know what was going on around them.
'It's to the point that they have no idea that anyone is standing near them and that's how we're able to grab them,' she said.
'Some are too far gone and they're just laying on the ground. They're just fox bait, unfortunately.'
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