Wildlife rescue workers responding to reports of "drunken" kangaroos in regional Victoria believe a common pasture crop is to blame for the animals' ill health.
Michelle Mead, from Central Victoria's Wildlife Rescue and Information Network, said her service had received several calls from members of the public distressed at the sight of disorientated kangaroos.
"They stagger around, they shake their heads, and look very confused and disorientated," Ms Mead said.
Footage of affected animals posted online also shows them falling over and struggling to right themselves.
Ms Mead said the ailing kangaroos resembled someone who was under the influence of alcohol.
The wildlife worker said the animals were indeed intoxicated and that it was likely a type of grass that was to blame.
Known as phalaris or bulbous-canary grass, the introduced plant species is a common pasture crop grown to feed livestock.
Protective measures
Kangaroos that eat the grass can develop a condition known as the "phalaris staggers", which causes head tremors, a loss of co-ordination and collapse.
There is no known cure for phalaris staggers in kangaroos.
Ms Mead explained that entire mobs that had grazed on phalaris were susceptible to the illness.
"For our rescuers who go out to attend these rescues, it can be really quite upsetting for them as well, because it is horrible to see an animal like that," she said.
While the grass is used to feed livestock, farmers can administer cobalt to their animals or spray the mineral on their pastures, to protect animals against the effects of phalaris.
Kangaroos are not given this preventative measure, which leaves them susceptible to poisoning.
Untreated grass can also spread beyond farmers' fence lines and onto roadsides, where kangaroos also feed.
Grass has effect on livestock
Hamilton livestock veterinarian David Rendell said he has seen several cases of phalaris staggers over the course of his career.
The syndrome was more common in areas with limestone soils, which contained less cobalt than basalt soils, Dr Rendell said.
Dr Rendell said Phalaris staggers were also more common when lush grass growth occurred, because animals digested less soil, and therefore less cobalt, in those areas.
Ms Mead urged members of the public who spotted disorientated kangaroos to contact their local wildlife shelter.
"Unfortunately kangaroos aren't always high on the agenda," she said.
"They've suffered a lot of impact from human activities … and that's why we believe we have a little bit of a duty of care to take care of them."
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