Deterrence of kangaroos from roadways using ultrasonic frequencies: Efficacy of the Shu Roo

Published source details Bender H. (2001) Deterrence of kangaroos from roadways using ultrasonic frequencies: Efficacy of the Shu Roo. University of Melbourne, Department of Zoology report, Unpublished.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

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Fit vehicles with ultrasonic warning devices

A replicated, controlled study in 1997–2001 along roads in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia, Australia (Bender 2001) found that Shu Roo warning whistles did not alter behaviour of eastern grey kangaroos Macropus giganteus or red kangaroos Macropus rufus and did not reduce kangaroo-vehicle collisions. There was no significant difference in the number of kangaroos hit by vehicles with or without whistles (22% with; 7% without). Vigilance responses did not differ significantly for either species when whistles were turned on (60–65%) or off (40–75%) and no animals fled in response. The Shu Roo was not purely ultrasonic (4–19 kHz) and was only detected at 50 m. The whistle was not detectable above the noise of the four vehicles tested. The Shu Roo (two speakers in a rectangular metal case) signal was tested in the lab and in the field at 20–400 m (static and mounted on four vehicle types). Responses of 31 captive kangaroos to the Shu Roo (turned on/off), mounted on a vehicle at 20–50 m, was recorded on 15 occasions in July–September 1997. Fifteen companies, in which people travelled large distances (average 49,000 km) conducted surveys in four states in August 1999 to January 2001. Fifty-seven vehicles had a Shu Roo fitted and 40 vehicles did not.

(Summarised by: Rebecca K. Smith)