SOCIAL-ORGANIZATION OF EASTERN GRAY KANGAROOS IN SOUTHEASTERN NEW-SOUTH-WALES .2. ASSOCIATIONS WITHIN MIXED GROUPS

The associations and interactions within a large mixed sex group of eastern grey kangaroos were studied over three winters and springs on a remnant improved pasture site in southeastern N.S.W. All size/reproductive classes fed for longer and interacted less frequently when pasture biomass was low in winter than in spring. Females generally spent more time feeding than males. Spacing between nearest neighbours was greater in winter than in spring. Females and their young-at-foot always associated closely but maintained a relatively large distance from neighbours. Large males associated in winter and separated from females. This trend was reversed in spring when large males associated with female classes most likely to enter oestrus. In spring males initiated frequent sexual interactions with these females and interacted agonistically with each other. The population may be near saturation making it beneficial for individuals to associate in large groups of familiar companions.