Wild mammals
Climate change threatens Australia's kangaroo species
Scientists warn that worsening droughts, fires and heatwaves are pushing kangaroos toward extinction, especially smaller species.
Reported by Mongabay · · 2 min read
World Kangaroo Day on October 24, 2026, highlights Australia's iconic macropods as the country faces growing climate threats. Researchers note that a "super El Niño" event is intensifying droughts and fires across the Southern Hemisphere, putting pressure on kangaroo populations already struggling with rising temperatures.
Australia is home to 59 macropod species, including four widespread kangaroos—the red, western grey, eastern grey, and antilopine kangaroos. While these species number between 30 million and 50 million animals, many smaller relatives face severe declines. The musky rat-kangaroo weighs just 500 grams, while critically endangered species like Gilbert's potoroo and two tree-kangaroo species survive in limited habitats. Six macropod species have gone extinct since European colonization, and 11 of the remaining are classified as Endangered or Critically Endangered.
Climate pressures mount on kangaroo populations
Scientists report that climate change has increased the frequency and severity of droughts and wildfires, which have devastated kangaroo numbers. During a decade-long drought beginning in 2000, eastern Australia's kangaroo populations dropped by about 30 million. The 2019-2020 Black Summer fires displaced or killed an estimated 5 million kangaroos and wallabies alongside other wildlife. Experts warn that extreme heat events cause physiological stress, particularly for young or weak animals, making them more vulnerable to dehydration and predators.
Smaller species face greatest risks
Critically endangered species with small, isolated populations are most at risk. Fewer than 150 Gilbert's potoroos remain in Western Australia, where intensified fires have repeatedly reduced their numbers. The Rufous-Hare wallaby, extinct on mainland Australia since 1991, now survives only in island habitats and reintroduction zones around Uluru, where climate change threatens remaining populations. Researchers emphasize that species with limited ranges and specialized ecological needs have little capacity to adapt to rapid environmental changes.
The upcoming 2026-27 El Niño event is expected to bring record-breaking heat and drought, conditions that historically have caused mass starvation among kangaroos. During the 2015-16 El Niño, Queensland's kangaroo population declined by 3.6 million. Conservation groups are preparing for potential emergencies, noting that habitat loss from development and farming further compounds climate threats. Sustainable land management, Indigenous fire practices, and habitat restoration are cited as key strategies to help wildlife survive worsening conditions.
