Invasive weed killing hundreds of animals as $100,000 Aussie problem worsens: 'It's everywhere'

Yahoo

a day ago

WARNING – DISTRESSING PHOTOS AND VIDEO: Hundreds of kangaroos have suffered a slow, painful death in recent months as an invasive weed wreaks havoc in one Aussie state, pushing wildlife rescuers to the brink as they fork out thousands of dollars to try and curb the growing problem.
While it may look somewhat harmless, Phalaris aquatica — a tall, dry grass you've likely seen growing on rural roadsides — has a devastating impact on kangaroos.
After consuming the toxic plant, which is commonly used as a pasture crop to feed livestock, roos develop what's known as the 'phalaris stagger', a neurological condition that makes them lose their balance and collapse, leaving them so ill they need to be euthanised.
The imported species can also affect farm animals. Giving them cobalt or spraying it on the grass helps to protect them from the effects of the toxins.
Cases can occur around the country, but they are particularly common in the southeast where the weed grows rampantly in late autumn and winter — and this year appears to be one of the worst yet.
Invasive weed toxic to roos is 'everywhere', rescuers say
Numerous wildlife rescuers across Victoria have been inundated with calls to help kangaroos seen suffering on roadsides and in paddocks.
'Phalaris is back with a vengeance this year… it's everywhere,' Walk On The Wild Side, a non-profit shelter, recently posted online after volunteers discovered a mob of roos showing 'odd behaviour' near a construction site.
Some of the sick animals were seen standing with their 'heads pressed against cement walls', while others just sat on the ground, unable to move.
'Knowing there's nothing we can do for these precious souls is truly heart-wrenching. All we can do is give them the respect and dignity they deserve and send them off peacefully,' the group said. Luckily, in this instance, rescuers were able to save four young joeys from their mother's pouches.
Several other organisations and concerned farmers have posted grim videos and photos in recent weeks of the devastating toll the 'cruel condition' is taking on the iconic animals in the hope of spreading awareness.
Wildlife Victoria grapples with 'unprecedented' increase in cases
In July, Wildlife Victoria recorded a staggering 433 per cent increase in kangaroo phalaris poisoning cases — a total of 485 — compared to the same month last year.
'Many of the cases we have dealt with so far in 2025 have spanned more than one animal, and in some cases entire mobs,' a spokesperson told Yahoo News, describing the increase as 'unprecedented'.
'This is a rapidly escalating wildlife crisis driven by prolonged drought, farming practices and extensive spread of the invasive weed with severe implications for native species,' they explained, noting the 'impact on rescuers has been major'.
'Most cases are untreatable. Humane euthanasia is often the only option to prevent suffering which is a heavy burden for our rescuers, both emotionally and physically.'
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Non-profit spends $100,000 on sedation, euthanasia in two months
It's also taking a big toll on the finances of those trying to treat roos affected by the grass. In the last two months, Wildlife Victoria has spent $100,000 on sedation and euthanasia alone, plus additional staffing costs to manage the growing case load.
The organisation is calling for greater awareness among farmers, communities and policymakers and has sought 'urgent' financial assistance from the state government.
'We are working through the operational response to some specific cases of impacted kangaroos on public land with both Parks Victoria and the Department of Energy Environment and Climate Action (DEECA). No one wants to see these kangaroos suffering,' the spokesperson told Yahoo, while also calling for 'better land management practices, regulatory measures, and stronger support for wildlife protection'.
'An easy fix would be to change the grazing grass to something that is not toxic to wildlife, and undertake an extensive program of eradication of the invasive weed across the landscape more broadly to enable the propagation of native grasses.'
DEECA works with a number of agencies across the state, like VicRoads, Parks Victoria and local councils to help control phalaris. However, getting rid of the invasive species entirely may prove quite difficult.
Weed science professor at the University of Queensland, Bhagirath Chauhan, previously told Yahoo phalaris is a fast-growing, resilient plant with seeds that can take a long time to germinate.
'So it means even if you can stop the seed production in this season, you will get these plants in the next three to four years, definitely,' he said.
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