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:

Listen to the story

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

Listen to the words

fleet-footed
fast moving

marsupials
a word for animals which carry their young in a 'pocket' of skin

deterrent
something which discourages the animals from doing something

become accustomed to
get used to something and therefore not be worried by it

macropods
the scientific name for the group of animals which include marsupials

taking flight
running away from danger

irate
very angry

plague-like proportions
so many that there is a danger

cull
the killing of animals to reduce their numbers for environmental reasons

marksmen
people whose job is to shoot animals

Read more about this story