Kangaroos who, with their eyes, look for the man for help in solving a problem.

It was thought that it was impossible for a non-pet to adopt this type of behavior, but a study by the University of Sydney and the University of Roehampton in London – coordinated by Irish researcher Alan McElligott , of the City University of Hong Kong – recently demonstrated the contrary.

The experiment with kangaroos

The study was intended to determine, using a simple gimmick, whether kangaroos can intentionally communicate with humans on a par with dogs and horses.

To accomplish this, the researchers predicted the involvement of sixteen marsupials that lived in captivity in several Australian wildlife parks, but had not yet been domesticated. 

The experiment consisted in providing the animals with a small box, placed on the ground, which contained a tasty morsel based on vegetables . The operation was repeated several times until, on the seventh test, the box was supplied closed, so that the marsupials could no longer access the food.

At this point, the researchers had to do is observe their behavior and their reactions following the onset of the sudden difficulty.

The surprising result

The vast majority of kangaroos, after unsuccessfully trying to open the box by poking it with the muzzle and knocking it to the ground, sought the help of the human being who had previously provided them with food. 

Alan McElligott, standing next to them, saw the animals try to capture his attention with their gaze – shifted alternately from man to container, as if to indicate the object of desires – and even through physical contact. 

The behavior, very similar to that of a house dog, unequivocally suggested that the kangaroos requested the intervention of the researcher so that he would open the box for them .

This finding disputes the belief that only pets can intentionally seek help from humans when there is a problem. 

The enthusiasm of the researchers

In a video interview for the BBC , Alexandra Green – a researcher at the University of Sydney who was the first person involved in the project – explains how the animals: “ They started looking towards the scientist, and then back to the food, and then they somehow sought his help by approaching him and, in some cases, even smelling and touching him ”.

Commenting on the experiment – simple, but pioneering in his field of himself – Mc Elligott himself stated: “ On the first try with the first kangaroo, it worked. I was honestly shocked – I distinctly remember thinking it was awesome. I’m sure I had a big smile on my face ”.

An in-depth study will be necessary to understand how much the confidence with man , given by the context of an environment, however man-made, such as natural parks, has influenced the behavior adopted by non-domesticated animals. 

Despite this, as scientists are keen to point out, this is a surprising result. In addition to refuting theses taken for granted in the ethological field, it opens up new horizons on the cognitive abilities – hitherto underestimated – of the great Australian marsupials. It could, in essence, help us to better understand animals which, in their homeland, far outnumber humans .