The truth behind those photos of a 'mourning' kangaroo
'This is a male trying to get a female to stand up so he can mate with her'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A series of photos showing a male kangaroo cradling his dying mate that went viral on social media have taken an unsettling turn.
Far from mourning for its lost companion, experts have now said the male was probably trying to lift the female upright so it could have sex with it.
Evan Switzer, 49, who took the photos in Queensland, Australia, said of them: "I saw the male pick up the female, he looked like he was just trying to get her up and see what was wrong with her.
“He would lift her up and she wouldn’t stand she’d just fall to the ground, he’d nudge her, stand beside her... it was a pretty special thing, he was just mourning the loss of his mate."
However, the sexually aroused adult male was in fact likely guarding the dying female from other males in the area who might attempt to mate with it.
Dr Mark Eldridge, principal research scientist of the mammalogy section at the Australian Museum, wrote in a blog: 'The male is clearly highly stressed and agitated, his forearms are very wet from him licking himself to cool down.
'He is also sexually aroused: the evidence is here sticking out from behind the scrotum
'This is a male trying to get a female to stand up so he can mate with her.'
Kangaroos breed all year round but mating happens most in spring and early summer, said Dr Eldridge.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments