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Canberra Today 15°/19° | Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

ABC doco on ‘roos in the city

THE one hour documentary “Kangaroo Mob” about urbanised kangaroos that live in and around Canberra will screen on ABC1 on Tuesday February 21.

From the makers of “Penguin Island” (360 Degree Films), “Kangaroo Mob” was shot over a course of one drought-stricken year and follows a mob of “street smart” kangaroos who move into the capital and the ecologists tracking them.

The documentary focuses on mob leader Black Spot, kangaroo mum Madge and joey Sonny.

“I wanted to tell a story about wildlife but set it in an urban area,” producer Sally Ingleton says.

“There is a world-wide problem with wild animals moving into human habitats – such as bears, cougars and wolves in Canada and the United States. When the two worlds collide there is natural drama.”

Two scientists place GPS collars on a number of metropolitan kangaroos and over the course of a year the film reveals how they adapt to city life.

After more than a year directing Kangaroo Mob, filmmaker Steve Westh has changed his opinion of the iconic Australian marsupial.

“If you spend any time in close proximity to a kangaroo you can’t help but be charmed by them,” he says.

“They are very endearing creatures and have unnervingly human characteristics. You start to notice that they have distinct personalities and you become very attached.”

Filming also coincided with the ACT’s kangaroo culls in 2009 and 2010.

“Kangaroo Mob” screens on ABC 1, Tuesday February 21 at 8.30pm

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