Canguros asustados por su propio zapateo

El sistema propio de alerta de los canguros podría ser utilizado en su contra.

Australian farmers could be about to get an unusual new weapon to protect their crops from kangaroos. Researchers in Melbourne have found that they can be scared off by the thumping sound of their own large feet on the ground.

This report from Phil Mercer:

Kangaroos have long been an annoyance to many Australian farmers. Keeping these fleet-footed marsupials away from their crops and water supplies has become a constant battle. A traditional deterrent has been a series of high pitched squeals emitted from loudspeakers. Researchers have found that kangaroos often become accustomed to these artificial sounds and took little notice of them.

However, a recording of a 'roo thumping its foot appears to have been quite a breakthrough. This is the noise these macropods make when they sense danger before taking flight. Using the animal's own alarm system could be what irate farmers have been looking for. They often complain that kangaroo numbers have reached plague-like proportions. Several million are shot dead every year as part of an official cull.

Animal rights campaigners have insisted that many of these pouched mammals die a painful death at the hands of unlicensed or inexperienced marksmen. A large number of marsupials are killed or injured on Australian roads by cars and trucks. Researchers, who are hoping to develop their foot thumping technology, believe it could also be used to guide kangaroos away from busy highways.

Phil Mercer, BBC, Sydney

fleet-footed
veloz y ágil

marsupials
mamíferos cuyas hembras tienen una bolsa abdominal formada por la piel, donde llevan sus crías

deterrent
elemento disuasorio - en este caso algo que impide que los canguros hagan algo destructivo

become accustomed to
se han acostumbrado a los sonidos artificiales

macropods
nombre científico de un grupo de animales que incluye los marsupiales

taking flight
huir del peligro

irate
furioso o muy enojado

plague-like proportions
como una inmensa plaga

cull
eliminar y matar selectivamente

marksmen
tiradores

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