Animals move into built-up areas as drought continues in South Australia
Native animals are migrating onto properties and into towns in search of food and water due to severe drought conditions in South Australia.
The change in animal behaviour comes after areas in the state's south received record-low rainfall in the past 12 months.
Northern and Yorke Landscape Board general manager Tony Fox said animals such as kangaroos moving onto properties had exacerbated the problems facing farmers.
"We've got a really compounding problem here," Mr Fox said.
"Not only are the kangaroos struggling now to find feed, but they're actually removing ground cover in many parts of the landscape.
"We're now more prone to dust, erosion, and removal of topsoil.
"It's a really difficult situation … for a farmer who's trying to manage his property sustainably and then having a lot of his hard work undone."
Whyalla has seen an influx of emus and kangaroos.
While the unusual sight can be interesting for people living in more built-up areas, experts have warned against feeding or leaving water out for animals.
Cassandra Williams from Whyalla Wildlife Rescue said it was likely the visiting emus were young and had recently struck out on their own.
"Essentially, they become used to being around humans, which then puts them at risk, which then causes more complications due to traffic, destroying private properties, and can be a hindrance with other animals."
Ms Williams also warned that tap water was not suitable for wildlife.
"Their bodies can't deal with the chemicals that are in our tap water," she said.
"They can actually become ill."
Ms Williams said in extreme cases, the animals had to be euthanased because they became too sick.
Mr Fox said that while he could understand the sentiment of helping an animal in distress, intervening could have unintended consequences.
"This is a natural sort of cycle that they're going through," he said.
Mr Fox said farmers were not unsympathetic and would have seen these animals in distress.
He said staff had increased reports of kangaroos being left "weak" and "struggling to move" due to malnutrition and dehydration.
"Many farmers would be seeing the welfare issues coming through with these malnourished animals that haven't got access to good water," he said.
"You quite often see them by the sides of the roads now because roads often have just the occasional bit of moisture that dribbles off that will create a bit of green.
"That's the other reason we're seeing so many dead kangaroos being hit by cars on roadsides."
National Parks and Wildlife Service district ranger Peter Wilkins said the department was aware of the increased reports of animals moving into townships.
Both Ms Williams and Mr Wilkins said animals that migrated towards towns were not forcibly relocated if they were healthy.
"Relocating them is not an advisable thing," Ms Williams said.
"It causes a great deal of stress to the animal if we have to basically corner it to catch it and then remove it."
Ms Williams said the animals would eventually move on if they were left alone.
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Credits: Reporting: Leah MacLennan Words: Leah MacLennan and Jessica Haynes Digital production: Jessica Haynes Photography and drone imagery: Che Chorley Additional reporting: Will Hunter Additional images: Will Hunter, Peter Usher and Grant Chapman Editing: Sara Garcia