kangaroo meat

Hop Into The New Red Meat - The Nutritional Benefits Of Kangaroo

A lot of popular diets these days focus on a high-protein eating plan, so for people who want to have meat as their major source of protein, it's important to make sure that it's good meat.

Commercially available meats are generally very high in saturated fat - sirloin steak, for example, can be up to 72 per cent fat - and often provide little in the way of essential omega-3 fatty acids. Not only that, farmed meat frequently contains things that we really wouldn't like to see at dinner such as pesticides, antibiotics, parasites, salmonella and E.coli. Manufactured meats are just plain scary with rancid and mutagenic by-products from the processing process that have no place in a human body.

If you want to eat meat, go for organic meat, free from as much human intervention as possible. If red's your favourite colour, I suggest you take a look at kangaroo. Studies headed by Professor Kerin O'Dea, Dean of Health at Deakin University in Victoria, found that kangaroo meat has considerably lower levels of fat - less than two per cent - than traditional meats such as pork, lamb and beef, and it has the lowest levels of saturated fat too. It also has the highest percentage of protein, and is the richest source of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which is found in grass-eating animals. This is important because CLA is a 'good' fat, essential to reducing atherosclerosis (the hardening and narrowing of the arteries) and obesity and may also have anti-carcinogenic and anti-diabetic properties.

What all that means to us is that kangaroo is the ideal meat for a healthy heart.

The great news is that kangaroo is becoming mainstream and is now available in most major Australian supermarkets - and you can get everything from steaks, to mince, roasts and even 'kanga bangas' (sausages) for your next barbecue. Because kangaroo is basically all muscle, it stays really tender when you cook it and can be far tastier than regular meats. And you can make pretty much anything out of it! So if you're after the ultimate protein boost, hop into the butcher and grab yourself some of the 'new' red meat.

Life Balancing expert Jennifer Jefferies is one of Australia’s best-known authors and speakers and she has a prescription for modern living. Her powerful message is of work, life and balance – and how to have it all through 7 Steps to Sanity®.

Jennifer is a qualified health practitioner who speaks to corporations throughout Australia, Asia, USA and New Zealand, sharing practical real-life strategies that help people to improve their health, wellbeing and productivity by finding balance in their lives. Jennifer is a refreshingly downto-earth, engaging and informative speaker who leaves her audiences feeling empowered about the things they can do to achieve balance in their lives, rather than feeling guilty about what they’re not doing!

Jennifer is the author of 7 Steps to Sanity® and seven other health-related titles.

For more information go to http://www.jenniferjefferies.com

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The Wildlife of Kangaroo Island

Kangaroo Island probably offers the best wildlife viewing opportunities of any location in Australia. The sheer variety of animals and their relative ease with people mean that viewing and photographic opportunities are almost guaranteed. On top of that there are fantastic beaches, great coastal scenery and a wide mix of habitats. Highlights are the sea-lion and fur seal colonies, the koala viewing, the heath goannas, the glossy black cockatoos and the little penguins.
Overview.

Kangaroo Island stretches approximately 150K east-west and 50Km north-south and in all is 4500 sq. Km, making it Australia's third largest island. The main population centres are Kingscote (the capital and airport) to the north and Penneshaw (the ferry port) at the eastern end. However, the population is only 4300 so the vast majority of the island is essentially wilderness. Many of the visitors to the island are day trippers who only visit the main sightseeing destinations so there is no problem getting away from the crowds. Fully one third of the island is given up to National Park or Conservation Area status.

Getting there

Two options here, either take a 20 minute flight from Adelaide or drive two hours from Adelaide to catch the 45 minute vehicle ferry from Cape Jervis on the Fleurieu Peninsula. Hiring a car from Kingscote is no problem.

When to go.

KI's climate is typically mild, although at times in summer it can get pretty hot. Winter averages are 13-15 degrees Celsius and summer is 20-25 degrees Celsius.The majority of the rainfall occurs in winter. For year-round weather averages in Kingscote click here http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_022807.shtml

For wildlife viewing any time is good, although if it is specifics you are looking for, such as viewing the Southern Right Whales as they pass the coast then obviously you need to time your visit carefully. However, the vast majority of what is available to see is there throughout the year.

Accommodation.

Plenty of accommodation scattered around the island, including the ideally located Kangaroo Island Wilderness Retreat ([http://www.austdreaming.com.au/]), a personal favourite. Also worth checking out is the National Park accommodation ([http://www.parks.sa.gov.au/parks/parks/kangaroo_is/index.htm#kiparksinfo]).

Equipment.

Everything you've got! The kangaroos and wallabies may let you get quite close but the birds won't, and the National Park staff are going to keep you away from the sea lions. So long lenses if you're going for the photography and binoculars if not. On top of that, remember the following;

Polarizing filter.

Plenty of memory capacity or film.

Cleaning cloth and brush - sand could be an issue.

Wet weather gear

Good flashlight

How long to stay.

If it's for photography then two weeks still won't see you bored, if it's for viewing then don't try to do the island in less then three days. Plenty of people get the coach tour from Penneshaw and are back off the island the same day but they miss so much.

Island Advice.

Take extreme care driving between dusk and dawn for the sake of both the animals and your car. If a big grey decides to cross the road just as you are passing it won't stop to check first and normally there will be another following right behind. And during the daytime look out for what look like sticks in the road, I have seen countless goannas and snakes have their sunbathing sessions cut short.

Get an island parks pass. If you are going to visit more than 4 parks, or if you are planning multiple visits to parks, this will save you money.

Don't feed the wildlife! Instruction given the world over, and I know it's hard to ignore the begging 'roos and wallabies at the visitors' centre car park, but you will be doing them no favours whatsoever if you hand over the remains of your sandwiches and crisps. And if you don't want to lose your al fresco dinner then watch out for the brushtail possums - they're everywhere and they're fearless! On my last visit they even followed me into my room before I could close the door on them.

Wildlife highlights

For a full list of flora and fauna in Kangaroo Island's National Parks, visit [http://www.parks.sa.gov.au/parks/parks/kangaroo_is/index.htm#kifauna]
Kangaroos. The roos on the island are the KI subspecies of the Western Grey and to my mind are the prettiest of all the roo species. There are plenty of places around the island to see them by possibly the best is on the meadows around the visitors centre at Flinders Chase NP. They can be seen at any time of day but first light is best. If you are patient and move quietly they will let you approach to within a few feet. Joeys are born at any time of the year but their is a peak in the summer months. These newborns will start to leave the pouch after about nine months.
Tammar Wallabies. Nearly extinct on the mainland, Tammar wallabies are so numerous on KI that regular culling needs to take place. The best places that I have found for viewing are probably the Western KI caravan park and around American River where they can be seen at any time of day, but they are found right across the island.

Echidnas. Echidnas are found across the island and are pretty easy to find. Just take a walk in any woodland and keep an ear out for the rusting sound. I have found that the best locations are to the north alongside the dirt roads where the soil is loose and easy for the echidnas to probe into, but you are pretty much guaranteed sightings anywhere. If you keep quiet and still it is possible to get echidnas to walk right up to you.

Sea Lions The only place to see the Australian sea lions is at Seal Bay Conservation Park on the south coast where you will be escorted by a NP guide onto the beach. You will be kept a minimum of 20 metres from the seals so bring a long lens/binoculars. Tours run from 9 to 5 and the sea lions tend to become less active as the day warms up so get there early. In winter the 9AM start is quite close to dawn which makes for the best light but to be honest the grey of the seals against the light-coloured sand means that photo opportunities exist throughout the day. Look for the bulls fighting.

Fur Seals. New Zealand fur seals are seen at Admirals Arch at the western end of Flinders Chase NP where there is a resident breeding colony. Access is via a boardwalk and it is possible to get quite close. However, most of the views are from quite high above the animals so picture opportunities are quite limited. Make sure you take warm clothing, regardless of how warm it might feel when you leave your car, and be prepared for the stink!

Koalas. Koalas were introduced to the island at a time when their existence on the mainland was felt to be uncertain. They found the conditions on the island to their liking and now numbers are thought to exceed 30,000. This has led to widespread damage to habitat and there is a continuing debate about ways to control the population. Flinders Chase NP is a great place to see them, as is Western KI caravan park. Listen for the males' groaning call to find out where they are, or just wander around looking for lumps in trees. It is also not too difficult to see them on the ground, moving between trees.

Platypus. Platypus were introduced to the island and can now be seen In Flinders Chase NP. However, the platypus pools are pretty dark even during the day so getting pictures is near impossible, even if you are lucky enough to see one.
Penguins. The penguin parade is at Kingscote harbour. Every evening you can watch the Fairy/Little penguins returning to their roosts. Forget traditional flash photography and use a red filter so as not to blind the little chaps.

Pelicans. Pelican feeding at Kingscote happens every afternoon, when 50 or so of these magnificent birds will fly in for free fish. Worth a visit, make sure you have a couple of bucks to donate and wander further north to Emu bay for great views and lots of shorebirds.
Glossy Black Cockatoos. Lathami ConsevationPark was created to conserve the habitat of the KI sub-species of this endangered cockatoo but I've also seen them at several places along the north coast so just keep an eye and an ear open whenever you're near pine forests. You should also be able to see the yellow-tailed black cockatoo, sometimes in flocks of 20 or more.
Heath Goannas. Found across the island (but rare on the mainland) you will probably see them on roads, both dead and alive, and if you walk quietly along one of the forest pylon clearings you will most likely come across one or two, especially if it is in the warmer months and not too early in the morning.

Enjoy!

Gerry Pearce is a wildlife photographer based in Sydney, Australia. He had visited and photographed much of Australia and has run a successful website http://www.australian-wildlife.com giving information and advice on Australia's wildlife since 2004.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gerry_Pearce

kangaroo photos

Visiting Kangaroo Island

Here we will list some of the top sights and activities on Kangaroo Island so that you can make the most out of your visit, and at the same time list some of the top reasons to visit the island.

Finders Chase National Park: Here you can get a really great view at the 'Remarkable Rocks' and 'Admirals Arch' which are only two of the incredible rock formations you will see. This makes them perfect for just marvelling at some of the most incredible scenery you're likely ever to see, but also for photography and art where the strange shapes make perfect subjects for copying or for inspiring original pictures. They can also be perfect for 'bouldering' which is the sport of climbing on small rock formations with a crash mat underneath in case you should fall.

In all the national park is 33,000 hectare and has plenty more to offer beside its rocks. Of course there's the wildlife and the kangaroo that give Kangaroo Island its name, but there's also koalas, echidnas and the near-extinct Cape Barren geese; so it's a perfect place to see some of Australia's unique animals. Finally there is the 1909 Cape du Couedic lighthouse. To begin you tour of the National Park, first make your way over to the Finders Chase Visitor Centre.

Kelly Hill Caves: These caves were discovered in 1881 when a horse fell into one of them, and though it was bad news for the horse, it has unveiled a great place for exploration and adventuring. Marvel at the calcite formations and the feel of being surrounded by rock with only a head-torch for illumination.

Seal Bay Conservation Park: This is the third largest colony of Australian Sea Lions in Australia and the easiest to access. Visiting the conservation park you can enjoy seeing them up close as they sleep in the sun or play in the sea.

Kangaroo Island Penguin Centre: If that wasn't enough wildlife for you, try visiting the Kangaroo Island Penguin Centre and you will be taken on a night tour to see the penguins take their procession to their seaside burrows. You will also be shown around the aquariums which are beautiful to look at lit up by night.

Little Sahara: Little Sahara offers a much safer and more enjoyable way to take photos as though you were in the middle of the Sahara desert. Here you will find a range of sand dunes that rise from the bushland at the centre of the island. You can climb on them, get some fantastic photographs, or even take a sand board and try sliding down the sides of the great dunes which is spectacular fun.

Vivonne Bay: Rated the best Australian beach out of 10,000 candidates by Sydney University, Vivonne Bay offers soft sandy beaches and blue-green water for relaxing, surfing, picnics or anything else.

kangaroo island accommodation and had a great time. We can recommend this kangaroo island

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red kangaroo

The Red Kangaroo

Red Kangaroo Description

The Red Kangaroo is the largest of all the species out there and the one that most people are familiar with. They have fur that can range from a shade of gray, to brown, to having a reddish tint. The ears are very pointing and they have a wonderful sense of hearing. They have powerful legs and very wide feet. Yet the upper limbs are short and skinny. They do have sharp claws on the limbs though. The tail is very thick and powerful too. All Kangaroos use this to help them with balance.

Adult males can range from 5 to 6 feet in height. They can also weigh close to 200 pounds. They females are shorter with a height of about 4 to 4/12 feet. They also weigh about half of what the adult males do.

Distribution

You will find the Red Kangaroo living in various areas out there around Australia. They primarily stay around the mainland areas where it is very dry. You will find them spending a great deal of their time out in the open and looking around.

Behavior

Due to the heat where the Red Kangaroos live, they tend to not be very active during the day. Instead they will remain in shaded areas and rest until they sun goes down. They are very active at night and in the early morning. The move around with their group which is called a mob.

For the most part the members of the mob do get along very well. However, there is often conflicts with the males because they want to take over as the leader. That way they will be able to mate with the females. The males usually take part in what looks like boxing. They do this in order to show their dominance and to try to take cover control of the mob.

Diet and Feeding

They are herbivores and their diet consists of a variety of grass and plants. While they do need some water they can go for a very long time without it. They get most of the water they do need from the vegetation that they consume. They do not chew their food but instead swallow it. Then they regurgitate it and chew it up once again before it is digested.

Reproduction

Mating can take place out there any time of the year for the Red Kangaroo. The females will conceive and then a very small joey is born about 30 days later. It makes a remarkable journey to the pouch where it will be well protected. It will stay there for about 8 months and then start to get out of the pouch on and off until it is about a year old.

The females can get pregnant again almost immediately if their basic needs are met. In fact, she may have an new joey and continue to care for the older one at the same time. The females do have the ability to delay when the embryo and the uterus meet though so they have some control over when they will give birth.

Conservation

There are quite a few efforts in place to help conserve the natural environment out there for the Red Kangaroo. Such organizations are stressing the importance of these animals having access to their natural habitat. They also want to make people aware of the fact that they are not pests like they have been labeled. Instead, they are just following their instincts for survival.

Red Kangaroo Human interaction Many people have been able to experience seeing the Red Kangaroo in its natural setting in Australia. There are some interactions but most of the time these animals will run off when humans get too close. They are sometimes hit by cars as they now have roads through their natural habitats. Some humans hunt them or poison them and such interactions continue to lower the number of them remaining in the wild.

Kangaroo Facts and Information - For further information, images and videos about Kangaroos and the main kangaroo species like the Red Kangaroo, the Gray Kangaroo and many others. Amazing Animal Facts.

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kangaroo

Raising A Red Kangaroo: Details You Should Know About

Is raising a red kangaroo something you want to do real soon? Then, you have to make sure that you're prepared to face this kind of challenge. You can start preparing yourself by reading about the details about this unique exotic animal that I'm going to discuss in this article.

Let's start your lesson on raising a red kangaroo with a brief description of the exotic animal that you want to take care of at home. This kangaroo species is the largest one of all the species out there. This species is also the one that most of people are familiar with. Their furs range in color from shades of gray to brown to something that has a reddish tint. Their ears on the other hand are pointy. These animals have an amazing sense of hearing. They also have very strong legs and wide feet. The opposite is for their upper limbs, which are short and skinny. However, they have sharp claws on their upper limbs. Their tails are thick and very powerful as well. They use their tails for balancing.
Males can reach a height of 5 to 6 feet when they reach adulthood. They weigh around 200 lbs. The females on the other hand are a bit shorter because they only average at a height of 4 to 4 1/2 feet. They usually weigh half of what the males do. These exotic animals can be found in different areas around Australia. They typically thrive in the mainland areas, which is very dry. They spend most of their time in open areas looking around. When they are in their native land, these animals aren't usually active during daytime because of the immense heat. They usually stay in well shaded areas to rest during the day. They wait until temperatures go down or for the sun to set. They become active at night and during early morning. They typically move in groups, which are referred to as mobs. The members of the group often get along well with each other. However, they go through some conflicts at times. This is particularly true for the male members of the group because of their intentions on becoming the leader of the mob. Males usually show their dominance through boxing.
Red kangaroos are herbivores. Their diet is largely made up of different plants and grasses. Even though they need water in order to survive, they can last for a really long time without it. They usually get most of their water from the vegetation that they feed on. They don't chew the food that they eat. Instead, they swallow it. After they swallow their food, they regurgitate it and chew it up before it's digested.
As for reproduction, mating usually takes place anytime during the year. The females gestate for 30 days and will give birth to a tiny joey. Babies are kept inside the pouch of their mothers. They stay there for at least 8 months before they start to go out of the pouch. When this time comes, the joeys will get on and off of their mothers' pouch until they reach the age of one year.

Discover important things that you need to know about raising a red kangaroo at the Tifkar Publishing website.

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