CITIZEN-PROPOSED ISSUE PAPER
Date: 11/13/16
ISSUE:
Addition of Macropus species to unregulated list
DISCUSSION (FACTS AND FIGURES, EXPLANATION OF ISSUE):
See attached
WHO MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN THIS ISSUE? HAVE YOU COMMUNICATED WITH ANY
OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES? WHAT INPUT HAVE YOU RECEIVED?
This is an addition of species that is not popular in the private ownership world, sue to
hardiness and cost so not much interest in other private ownership
ALTERNATIVES: PLEASE INDICATE THE PROBABLE OUTCOME IF THIS PETITION IS
ACCEPTED, AS WELL AS THE IMPACT OF ALTERNATIVES TO THIS PETITION:
I would be able to add the new species to my educational program, teaching people about
more than just one species of kangaroos and more about conservation of all animals
PETITION PROPOSED BY:
PETITION WRITTEN BY:
DATE SENT TO THE COMMISSION:
Carolyn J Lantz
Carolyn J Lantz
11/13/16
Unregulated Wildlife Citizen Petition
Nov 13, 2016
This is a request to add three (3) species of Macropus to the unregulated list of animals for the State of
Colorado. All three of these species are in the same family (Marcropus) as the Red kangaroo (Macropus
rufus), Bennett wallaby (Macropus rufogriseus), wallaroo (Macropus robustus), dama wallaby
(Macropus eugenii), and swamp wallaby (Wallabia bicolor) that are already approved for private
ownership in the state of Colorado.
Statement of basis and purpose
I have been a USDA Licensed exhibitor in the state of Colorado for close to 25 years, the last 10 years
have been with raising the current unregulated species of Macropus without any incidents or violations.
I feel there would be no increase in private ownership by adding the additional species as these are less
hardy and more expensive to purchase than the current more popular species. My facility is already set
up with fully heated barns and double/triple fenced enclosures to prevent any incidents of escape. My
program is an educational based program to educate on the conservation of animals in Australia and the
world, and feel the addition of the new species is very important to my program. None of the animals
are ever taken from the wild or imported from Au. Thank you in advance for reviewing and considering
my requests.
Carolyn J Lantz
1.
The scientific and common name or names including subspecies.
EASTERN GREY KANGAROO ( MACROPUS GIGANTEUS)
WESTERN GREY KANGAROO (MARCROPUS FULIGINOSUS)
AGILE WALLABY (MARCROPUS AGILIS)
2.
Habitat requirements and limitations, including an assessment of its survivability in
Colorado's native habitats.
Eastern Grey Kangaroo- species found in the forest, woodlands and scrubland areas of eastern Australia
Western Grey Kangaroo-species is endemic to southern Australia to the west
Agile Wallaby-Generally found along rivers and streams in open woodland and grassland habitats All of
these species are grazers found in the more arid parts of Australia, while they could survive short
periods of colder weather they would not be able to survive a full winter in Colorado without adequate
shelter.
3.
The potential of the species to negatively impact or destroy native vegetation.
As a general rule, kangaroos and sheep eat different plant species, so they are not often in direct
competition if there is plenty of food. Kangaroos eat young green shoots high in protein - they are not as
good as sheep are at eating and digesting dry grass or fiber. In dry periods, however, kangaroos can
sometimes reduce the amount of feed available to livestock. Considering we would not have the large
wild populations they have in Australia we feel there would be no detrimental effect on native
vegetation
4.
All known associated diseases, including zoonotic diseases and parasites.
. Cryptosporidiosis
Cause: is a coccidian protozoa, Cryptosporidium, that is found in water contaminated by feces. Common
in all livestock. Known prevention is to wash hands.
5.
Predatory behavior, including assessment of the anticipated effect predation by the
species would have on native wildlife and domestic animals.
Kangaroos are not a predatory animal, they are considered prey. The native wildlife such as coyotes,
and other meat eaters would chase them down for food. In Australia the only predators they have are
the Dingoes and eagles. In domestic animals it would be the house dog again chasing the kangaroos.
6.
An assessment of the potential of the species to damage or destroy agricultural crops
or rangeland.
None due to the fact that if there was an escape it would be a minimal amount of animals. Not having
large mobs like they do in Australia they would not be able to destroy or damage agricultural corps. The
fact that they can only have one baby a year the rate of growth and survivability for the species through
a Colorado winter would be very little.
7.
An assessment of the ability of the species to breed with native wildlife and domestic
animals.
Each species of Macropus only breeds with its own species. IE a red kangaroo will only breed with a red
kangaroo. They have no interest in any other species of Macropus. These animals have a very unique
chromosome system and would never be able to breed with anything native to the US or Colorado.
8.
Fecundity and reproductive behavior.
Macropus live in small mobs or groups of animals. Usually 1 male to several females. Female kangaroos
in captivity became sexually mature at 15-20 months and males at about 2 years of age. The estrous
cycle averaged 34-35 days in length and the gestation period was 33 days They breed once a year,
producing an average of 1 baby at a time. Until the 1 baby leaves the pouch she will not produce
another one. Sometimes it can be 1 baby every two to three years.
9.
.
Assessment of the competition this species would have with native wildlife and
domestic animals for food, water, and space.
The small amount of kangaroos in Colorado would have no effect on the food, water and space with
native wildlife or domestic animals found in Colorado. They would not survive a winter in Colorado in
the wild
10.
Information about the regulatory status of the species in Arizona, Nevada, Utah,
Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Idaho, and Montana
Az.- No restrictions or permits needed for any species of Macropus/Marsupials
Nv- No restrictions or permits needed for any species of Macropus/Marsupials
Ut-Wallabies, wallaroos and kangaroos, (All species) family Macropodidae are prohibited for collection,
importation and possession;
Wy-Must apply for procession of wildlife permit Ch 10 No restriction on species all treated the same
Ne- No restrictions or permits needed for any species of Macropus/Marsupials
Ks-No restrictions or permits needed for any species of Macropus/Marsupials
Ok-No restrictions or permits needed for any species of Macropus/Marsupials
NM-Considered Class IV Import - The importation of these
species are prohibited for the general public but may be allowed for, scientific study,
department approved restoration and recovery plans, zoological display, temporary
events/entertainment, use as service animal or by a qualified expert.
Id- No brush tailed possums allowed other than that no restrictions or permits needed for
Macropus/Marsupials
Mt- Wallabies Bennett and Tammar are non controlled animals- no permit needed. Wallaroos are a
controlled animal Permit needed. Kangaroos prohibited
11.
Information about the regulatory prohibitions of the species in any city or county
within Colorado.
Currently no rules against owning a Macropus /marsupial in any county as long as they are on the
unregulated list.
12.
Assessment of the "weediness" of the animal. The "weediness" of an animal shall be
defined and assessed by the following criteria:
: 1) Characterization of the aggressiveness of the animal
Marsupials are primarily a flight animal, they will usually run away from humans rather than fight.
Incidence of humans being attacked in the USA are extremely low.
: 2) its ability to thrive in Colorado
Marsupials are generally found in the arid areas of Australia and do not survive well in extreme cold
without proper shelter.
:3) its ability to disperse widely or pioneer
Marsupials are grazers and a mob animal, they will stay together and graze slowly.
: 4) its reproductive potential
Marsupials will only breed with its own sub species and no way can breed with native Colorado wildlife.
:5) its ability to adapt to other food sources (opportunistic feeding ability).
Marsupials prefer grass but will also eat weeds, the amount they would eat compared to cattle or sheep
is very little. Once feed is buried in snow they would not survive.
13.
.
Cite whether the species is listed by the Convention of International Trade in
Endangered Species (CITES), and if so, on which appendix.
All three of the species are listed as least concern on the Red List Category and Criteria list.
14.
An assessment of the potential for illegal trafficking of the species within the United
States and internationally.
Australia has very strict export laws in place. The three species listed in this petition, and the ones
already approved in Colorado are the only species in the USA at this time. All of the species listed are
already legally being sold here in the USA and internationally. All of the species currently in the USA
have been bred and born in the USA since the 70's, There are breeders throughout the USA that raise
these animals for zoos and conservation efforts to educate the plight of these animals in Au. While
currently listed as Least concern at this time we all know how fast that can change.
15.
An assessment of the impacts to wild populations of the species if legal possession
and trade were allowed.
There would be no impact to the wild populations of the species as Australia does not export any of the
animals. All of the current populations have been captive bred in the USA since the 70's.
16.
An assessment of the care and welfare requirements of the species.
All of the animals are currently provided with temperature controlled barns, fed commercially prepared
kangaroo chow and grass hay and water at all times. All fencing is 6 ft high with double or triple fencing
around all shelters to prevent any escapes. We have a vet, Dr. Labonde at Homestead animal hospital in
Centennial, Co, that specializes in macropus species available at all times. No changes would need to be
made for the three new species as their non- tolerance for colder temps has already been provided for
in the shelters we have provided for our other species.
17.
Assessment of the danger this animal poses to humans if it were to escape
Kangaroos, particularly those at the interface between residential and rural lands, often come into
contact with people and may exhibit complex behavioral responses which can be misunderstood, raise
concern or on very rare occasions lead to physical injury. Although the chances of being harmed by a
kangaroo are very low. Kangaroos are not predatory, their usual response is a flight response
18.
Bibliography of reference materials
http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Listing showing LC Status for species
For information on habitat, export rules and species info
kangarooworlds.com
livescience.com
diffin.com
animals.mom.me.com
animals.sandiegozoo.org
quora.com
adalaysanimals.wordpress.com
wwf.org.au
enviroment.nsw.gov.au
For information proving that all of the species of macropod are the same family, conservation , threats
and habitats.
SOURCE KANGAROOWORLDS.COM
Kangaroo Species Overview
There are quite a few different Kangaroo species out there to learn more about. It is
believed that they have been around for millions of years. Yet we don’t have very
much evidence in the way of fossils to give us very many answers. For example it
isn’t known how the different species branched off from each other.There are only an
few main groups of Kangaroo species out there. Yet there are more than 80 of them
total when you start to break them all down into sub species. That can become more
complicated at that point to keep where each of them belongs in the overall scheme of
things.
Kangaroo Species
1. Red Kangaroo
2. Eastern Gray Kangaroo
3. Western Gray Kangaroo
The umbrella that they all fall under though is called macropods. There are two
categories of families that they are further divided into from there. The first one is the
Macropodidae. Most species of Kangaroos fall under this one. The second category is
the Potoroidae and Rat Kangaroos fall into this one.
The Red Kangaroo is one that you have likely heard about. This is the largest mammal
found in Australia. It gets its name due to the reddish tint of its hide. They are also the
species that is well known for the typical boxing moves. They do this for the right to
run the mob and for mating purposes.
The Eastern Grey Kangaroo has a thicker coat that most other species. In fact, the
gray coloring on the back with white down the front and large ears reminds many
people of an oversized rabbit. They are also the fastest of all species of Kangaroos.
One was actually recorded going 40 miles per hour.
There is also the Western Grey Kangaroo that is a lighter color of gray. These are very
curious animals which can get them into trouble. For example it can lead them to
where humans are hunting or to where traps have been set for them. They also give
out a very strong odor that is unpleasant. No other species of Kangaroo is known to do
this.
SOURCE LIVESCIENCE.COM
Types of Kangaroos
There are four known species of kangaroos that belong to the macropus
genus. The red, the eastern gray, the western gray and the antilopine.
Kangaroos are large marsupials that are found only in Australia. They are
identified by their muscular tails, strong back legs, large feet, short fur and
long, pointed ears. Like all marsupials, a sub-type of mammal, females have
pouches that contain mammary glands, where their young live until they are
old enough to emerge.
Kangaroos are in the Macropodidae family, which also includes treekangaroos, wallabies, wallaroos, quokkas and pademelons. When people
think of kangaroos, the four species that typically come to mind are in the
genus Macropus: the antilopine kangaroo, the red kangaroo, the western gray
kangaroo and the eastern gray kangaroo. They are sometimes referred to as
the "great kangaroos" because these species are much larger than other
kangaroos.
SOURCE DIFFIN.COM
Both the kangaroo and the wallaby belong to the macropod family, which
contains large-footed animals. They have oversized feet that they use for jumping
— their only form of locomotion. Both these animals also belong to marsupial
infraclass, meaning they have a front-opening pouch to carry their babies.
However, some animals in the marsupial family, like the wombat, have backwardopening pouches.
Similarities
•
•
•
•
Family: Both the kangaroo and the wallaby belong to the same family of macropods and
marsupials
Habitat: Both are essentially found in Australia though the terrains are different
Locomotion: Both these animals have strong hind legs and jumping is their only mode of
locomotion.
Life Cycle: Both these animals have a very short period of pregnancy, and the baby that’s born is
very weak and fragile. They stay in their mother’s pouch and suckle for almost nine months before
they can actually venture out. The constitution of the milk changes from time to time, to offer
appropriate nutrition to the baby. As soon as the baby, commonly called the joey, is big enough to
leave the pouch and only returns for feeds; the mother gives birth again.
SOURCE ANIMALS.MOM.ME.COM
The Kangaroo Family
Kangaroos belong to the superfamily Macropodoidea, which also includes wallabies.
This superfamily has 62 members native to Australia and Papua New Guinea, ranging
in size from those who weigh as little as 2 pounds to about 200 pounds. Six kangaroo
species are the big boys of this family, although a new, and slightly smaller, kangaroo
family member was discovered in Papua New Guinea in 1990. The wallaroo, a
crossbreed of wallaby and kangaroo, is another relative.
Red Kangaroos
The red kangaroo is the largest species. The male weighs in at around 200 pounds and
stands 6 feet tall, sitting on his haunches. The female measures 4 feet and weighs
around 77 pounds.
Grey Kangaroos
The Grey kangaroo is the next largest. Two species, the Western and Eastern grey,
belong to this family. The Western kangaroo lives as you might expect in Western
Australia, but the Eastern kangaroo likes forest and grassland areas of Australia's east
coast, and is the only kangaroo species on the island of Tasmania. The species has a
woolly textured coat, compared to the Red kangaroo's silkier one, and is a grayishbrown color. Males measure up to 5 feet in height and weigh about 145 pounds.
Females are only 4 feet tall by comparison and weigh in at 77 pounds.
the Wallaroo
. The stocky wallaroo, with his shaggy coat and short limbs, is well-adapted for leaping
around rocks. He lives all over Australia, but prefers living in hilly areas and makes his
home in a cave where he can hide from the heat and predators. Although he may like
having a watering hole nearby, he can survive for up to three months without drinking
water, relying on plants as a water source.
SOURCE
ANIMALS.SANDIEGOZOO.ORG/ANIMALS/KANGAROOWALLABY
•
CLASS: Mammalia (Mammals)
•
ORDER: Diprotodontia
•
FAMILY: Macropodidae
•
GENERA: 11
•
SPECIES: 54
A well-known mammal: The word kangaroo often brings to mind a picture of a
big, bounding critter with long ears and a baby, or joey, peeking out of its
mother's pouch. Maybe you envision Kanga and Roo from A. A. Milne's
Winnie the Pooh books, or H. A. Rey's Katy No-Pocket from the story of the
same name? Either way, kangaroos are perhaps Australia's best-known
animal and are found in stories, movies, and even as sports team mascots the
world over!
The kangaroo's family name, Macropodidae, means "big feet," a great
description for kangaroos and their relatives. Kangaroos, wallabies, wallaroos,
quokkas, pademelons, potoroos, rat-kangaroos, honey possums, and tree
kangaroos are all macropods. Confused about the difference between
kangaroos, wallaroos, and wallabies? That's understandable! There are more
than 50 species of these marsupials, and they vary in size from critters you
could hold in your hands to the giant red kangaroo that stands as tall as an
adult person.
The main difference between a kangaroo and all the others is size: the six
largest macropods are referred to as kangaroos. Otherwise, they are quite
similar. In most species, the hind legs and feet are much larger and more
powerful than the forelimbs. Their tail is long, muscular, and thick at the base,
helping the animal balance and turn during hopping and providing support
when it rests.
All three of the large kangaroo species are closely related to the smaller
wallabies and wallaroos that thrive in habitats ranging from wet forests to arid
grasslands. There are brush, scrub, swamp, forest, and rock wallabies, which
should give some clue as to the vastly different habitats these creatures call
their own. Their smaller size lets them fill smaller, more varied niches than
their larger cousins.
SOURCE QUORA.COM
All living kangaroos, wallaroos, euros, wallabies, tree kangaroos, rock wallabies,
pademelons and hare-wallabies are contained within the Macropodidae family. The
family currently contains 53 species that inhabit Australia and New Guinea, with
Australia also being so kind as to introduce them to Britain, France and New
Zealand. Most of the kangaroos, wallabies and the like that non-Australians hear
about belong to the Macropus genus.
SOURCE ADALAYSANIMALS.WORDPRESS.COM
There are four species of kangaroo, all in the genus Macropus. Also belonging in Macropus are the
wallabies and wallaroos, which are differentiated from kangaroos by size, with kangaroos being the
largest, wallabies the smallest, and wallaroos somewhere in between. All species of kangaroo are found
in Australia, in habitats ranging from arid deserts to sparse woodland areas.
SOURCE WWF.ORG.AU
Kangaroos and wallabies
Marsupials are mammals that have a pouch or ‘marsupium’ in which they raise their
young. Marsupials include
koalas, wombats, possums and dasyurids (small carnivorous marsupials) and
macropods. Before European
settlement there were 53 species of macropods in Australia; six have since become
extinct. A third of
macropod species in Australia and PNG are threatened. Macropods (members of the
super family
Macropodoidea) include kangaroos, wallabies, pademelons, tree kangaroos and rat
kangaroos. They typically
have large hind limbs and feet. Macropods are unique to Australia and New Guinea.
Macropods are unique Australian animals and the most well known, the red kangaroo
features on Australia’s
coat of arms, coins and stamps. Geological and climatic events in Australia’s history
have resulted in the
unique species seen today, with marsupials evolving around 56 to 34 million years ago.
Kangaroos are thought
to have evolved from possum-like animals. This relationship can be seen by the musky
rat-kangaroo, which is
the most primitive kangaroo alive. The musky rat-kangaroo lives on the ground but has
a ‘thumb-like’ toe,
which looks like a possum foot.
©
Threats
Between Australia and New Guinea, there are 83 species
of macropods, of which nine have become extinct since
European settlement and 28 are threatened. The threats to
macropods are varied and some, like the rufous hare
wallaby are more at risk than others. The main threats to
macropods in Australia are habitat loss, altered fire
regimes, introduced predators and now climate change.
These are the main drivers of decline affecting many
mammals in Australia and have resulted in this continent
having the worst rate of mammal extinctions worldwide. In
New Guinea, loss of forest habitat and over-hunting has
resulted in the decline of several species of tree kangaroos
and other macropods.
Habitat loss
Macropods live in a variety of habitat types and, with
European settlement, much of this land was cleared of
native bush to accommodate agricultural and grazing land
SOURCE ENVIROMENT.NSW.GOV.AU
Kangaroos and wallabies are marsupials that belong to a small group of animals
called macropods. They are only found naturally in Australia and Papua New
Guinea. Most macropods have hind legs larger than their forelimbs, large hind feet,
and long muscular tails which they use for balance. The word macropod actually
means 'big foot'. Kangaroos and wallabies are most active at night, dusk and dawn.
The kangaroo superfamily consists of two family groups. Kangaroos, wallabies,
pademelons and tree kangaroos make up one family, while rat-kangaroos, bettongs
and potoroos make up the other. There are 45 species of kangaroos and wallabies.
Threats
Kangaroos and wallabies once roamed Australia practically undisturbed by
predators, although no doubt the Tasmanian tiger and other carnivorous marsupials
were a threat to their safety. The arrival of Aboriginal people between 40,000 and
60,000 years ago had an impact on kangaroos and wallabies, through hunting and
through frequent burning of habitat vegetation. The dingo, which arrived about 3,500
years ago, became a major kangaroo predator.
However, the arrival of European settlers had the greatest effect on native animals,
including kangaroos. European livestock compete with kangaroos for pasture, and
introduced species such as foxes, cats and dogs prey on native fauna. Different
bushfire patterns have also had a great impact on kangaroo habitat.
Two centuries ago there were 21 species of macropod in NSW, now there are only
15. The smallest species, and those with special habitat requirements and restricted
ranges, have suffered the most, both from predators and from the destruction of
their habitats. A number of species of kangaroo and wallaby are listed as threatened
in NSW.