Kangaroos sometimes view domestic dogs as a threat because dogs resemble the dingoes that have long shared this landscape with them. This unusual dynamic was reported by Live Science.
An Australian resident walking along the river noticed his dog was missing. He later spotted a kangaroo standing in the water, its hands submerged as the river moved around them. The dog had somehow escaped from the animal, and similar incidents have been documented in other years, including 2014 and 2020. These moments highlight how marsupials adapt their defense strategies in the face of predation from native predators and the intrusion of domestic animals into their habitats.
Ewan Ritchie, a professor of ecology and wildlife conservation at Deakin University in Australia, explained to Live Science that this behavior represents a tactic kangaroos have developed to resist attacks from the dingo, a native predator with which they have coexisted for thousands of years. This insight helps illuminate how predator pressures shape the daily choices of kangaroos in both urban and rural riverside settings. [Live Science attribution]
Dingoes, scientifically named Canis dingo, are Australia’s largest land predators. They are descended from domestic dogs introduced by humans to the mainland many thousands of years ago. In the wild, dingoes pursue kangaroos in large groups, driving them toward exhaustion through persistent chases. When danger looms, kangaroos often find safety by leaping into deeper water, where escape routes are more limited for their pursuers. [Live Science attribution]
Dog owners should exercise caution around kangaroos, as these powerful animals can pose risks to people. A forceful kick or a scratch from a large kangaroo can cause serious injury, and certain adult kangaroos can weigh up to 92 kilograms. Awareness and distance are key to avoiding confrontations in both rural areas and towns that border wild habitats. [Live Science attribution]
As researchers continue to study the interactions between domestic animals and native wildlife, these cases underscore the need for responsible pet ownership in Australian ecosystems and along waterways where encounters are more likely. People who walk dogs near riverbanks or in kangaroo range should remain vigilant, keep dogs leashed where appropriate, and observe wildlife behavior from a respectful distance. These practices help reduce the chance of dangerous misunderstandings that can occur when species with overlapping territories meet in close quarters. [Live Science attribution]