The Kangaroo Mob 🦘 | Out There with Jack Randall Full Episode | @natgeokids

Key Concepts

• Zoologist: An expert in the study of animals.
• Kangaroo Whisperer: Someone who can understand and interact closely with kangaroos.
• Bilibong: An Australian term for a watering hole.
• Brown Tree Snake: A rear-fanged, mildly venomous snake native to Australia.
• Agile Wallaby: A smaller species of macropod, common in Australia.
• Wallaby: Smaller hopping marsupials.
• Walaroo: Medium-sized hopping marsupials.
• Kangaroo: Large hopping marsupials.
• Herbivores: Animals that feed on plants.
• Infrared Camera: A camera that detects infrared radiation, useful for seeing warm-blooded animals in the dark.
• Lady Grey Snake: A non-venomous, grumpy snake known for its defensive behavior.
• Joey: A baby kangaroo.
• Nenah's Ark: A rehabilitation center for injured and orphaned wildlife.
• Sugar Glider: A small, nocturnal marsupial known for its gliding ability.
• Brushtail Possum: A nocturnal marsupial native to Australia.
• Cockatoo: A large, intelligent bird, often with a distinctive crest.
• Olive Python: A large, non-venomous snake found in Australia.
• Dingo: A wild dog native to Australia.
• Frilled-neck Lizard: A lizard known for its large frill around its neck, which it displays when threatened.

Jack Randall's Journey to Understand Australian Wildlife

This video follows zoologist Jack Randall's immersive journey into the Australian bush to gain a deeper understanding of its iconic wildlife, particularly kangaroos. His quest involves learning from experts, facing challenges, and ultimately contributing to conservation efforts.

The Quest for Kangaroo Trust

Jack Randall's primary goal is to get close to kangaroos and understand their behavior in the wild, a dream inspired by his idol, Steve Irwin. He acknowledges the difficulty of this endeavor, stating, "Trying to be a kangaroo whisperer is not easy. I'm definitely not one."

Meeting the Kangaroo Expert

To achieve his goal, Jack travels to Kumali to meet David Croft, a researcher who has studied kangaroo behavior for over 40 years. David shares his expertise on how to approach kangaroos:

• Location: Seek out watering holes (bilibongs).
• Technique: Sit quietly downwind of them, with your back against a tree to mask your silhouette.
• Threat Response: If a dominant male perceives you as a threat, make yourself small. If it approaches, cough to signal submission, mimicking a kangaroo's defeated behavior after a fight.

David explains the hierarchy and behavior of kangaroos, including their boxing and kickboxing fighting styles, and the males' thickened abdominal skin for protection. He also clarifies the terminology: smaller marsupials are wallabies, medium-sized are walaroos, and the largest are kangaroos.

Initial Attempts and Challenges

Jack's initial attempts to approach agile wallabies are met with their rapid escape, reaching speeds of up to 35 mph. David notes that habituating kangaroos is a long-term process, requiring them to become comfortable with his presence and recognize him as non-threatening.

Encounters with Other Wildlife

During his exploration, Jack has several encounters with other Australian animals:

• Brown Tree Snake: While en route to meet David, Jack encounters a brown tree snake in his car. He carefully handles it, noting its rear fangs and mild venom. The snake's agility and climbing ability are highlighted.
• Lady Grey Snake: While stealthily approaching a watering hole at night, Jack nearly steps on a Lady Grey snake. He describes them as "grumpy" but non-venomous, noting their tendency to bite and their distinctive smell. He assists the snake by guiding it towards the water.
• Pigs: Jack observes wild pigs, including a large male with tusks, posing a potential threat.
• Frilled-neck Lizard: Jack attempts to catch a frilled-neck lizard in a tree, marveling at its dinosaur-like appearance and defensive frill. He notes their speed on hind legs and their territorial behavior.
• Olive Python: While searching for dingoes, Jack discovers a large olive python. Recognizing it as a potential threat to released kangaroos, he relocates it to a more suitable habitat away from Nenah's Ark.

The Rescue of a Joey

A significant event in Jack's journey is the discovery of a dead kangaroo on the roadside with a live, hairless joey in its pouch. He recognizes the joey's extreme vulnerability to predators like dingoes and snakes.

Rehabilitation at Nenah's Ark

Jack rushes the joey to Nenah's Ark, a wildlife rehabilitation center run by Nina. Nina, an experienced wildlife rescuer, explains the critical care required for such young marsupials:

• Initial Assessment: Checking for broken bones, as injuries to joints are irreparable.
• Feeding: Providing specialized milk formula, as some joeys may take days to accept a nipple.
• Thermoregulation: Keeping the joey warm, as it cannot generate its own heat without fur.

Nina emphasizes that 90% of joeys arrive without serious injuries, often protected by their mothers during impacts. Jack experiences the rewarding process of feeding the joey, highlighting the parallels to human infant care.

Other Rehabilitating Animals

At Nenah's Ark, Jack also observes other animals under Nina's care:

• Sugar Glider: A sugar glider with a tail injury from fighting with siblings, requiring its tail for stability. Jack experiences its sharp bite.
• Brushtail Possums: Two young brushtail possums orphaned by a cat, being rehabilitated to be released only when they are nocturnal.
• Cockatoo: An adult cockatoo with a broken wing, now a regular visitor to Nina's property, accepting food directly from her hand.

The Release and Monitoring of a Kangaroo

A key part of Nenah's Ark's mission is the rehabilitation and release of animals back into the wild. Jack witnesses the release of a one-year-old kangaroo named Eevee.

The Release Process

• Marking: Eevee is marked with gold paint on her backside for identification and monitoring over the next eight days.
• Handling: Kangaroos are handled by their tails, as their legs are too powerful and could cause injury if restrained.
• Monitoring: The goal is to track Eevee's survival and integration into the wild.

Predator Watch and Survival Concerns

Jack participates in "predator watch," patrolling the periphery of Nenah's Ark to look for dingoes, a significant threat to young kangaroos. The presence of dingo tracks and the sound of a pack raise concerns about Eevee's survival. The video highlights the harsh reality of the wild, where predators are a constant danger, and survival depends on instinct.

Building Trust with the Kangaroo Mob

Jack's dedication to living amongst kangaroos allows him to build trust with a mob. He observes their behavior, including the dominant male's warning snore and displays of strength. He learns to interpret their signals, understanding that standing tall can be perceived as a challenge.

The Return of Eevee

Despite initial fears that Eevee might not have survived due to dingo activity, she eventually returns to Nenah's Ark, identified by her golden marking. This success signifies her ability to learn and survive in the wild, a testament to the rehabilitation efforts.

Conclusion: Living Amongst Wildlife

Jack Randall concludes that the most effective way to understand wild animals is to live amongst them in their natural habitat. His journey demonstrates the importance of conservation, rehabilitation, and the profound connection that can be forged between humans and the animal kingdom through patience, respect, and dedication. He expresses his hope that his own rescued joey will one day achieve the same freedom and success as Eevee.