COMPETITION BETWEEN RED KANGAROOS (MACROPUS-RUFUS) AND SHEEP (OVIS-ARIES) IN THE ARID RANGELANDS OF AUSTRALIA

Competition between red kangaroos and sheep in the more arid areas of Australia was examined by means of a large-scale manipulative experime nt incorporating two replicates of each of three treatments: sheep-onl y, kangaroo-only and a sheep/kangaroo mixture. The study was conducted over two years during which time pasture conditions varied markedly. Competition was intermittent, occurring only during a period of climat ically related food depletion (semi-drought). At this time there was a large increase in kangaroo densities due to an influx of kangaroos fr om neighbouring areas. Competition reduced live-weight in sheep but ha d no significant impact on wool production. This effect was linked to diet selection. Competition caused red kangaroos to favour paddocks de stocked of sheep but had no detectable effect on the condition of kang aroos.