Mammalogist tells Tom Elliott what’s REALLY happening in that kangaroo photo

A viral picture of a kangaroo family is not what it appears to be.

The picture appears to show a male kangaroo comforting a female as she lies dying on the ground.

However, it appears this was a simple case of anthropomorphism – that is, the attributing of human characteristics to animals or objects.

Dr Mark Eldridge, Australian Museum mammalogist, told Tom Elliott this is a common phenomenon.

‘We attribute our motives and out behaviours to animals when they’re just doing their thing in a completely different way,’ Dr Eldridge said.

‘It would appear that the male (kangaroo) is interested in… something else. 

‘He’s trying to lift the female up to mate with her.’

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