September 16, 2014

Biologist features in iconic kangaroos SBS-TV documentary

UOW Biological Sciences Lecturer, Dr Adam Munn, will feature in episode 2 on Saturday night September 20 of SBS-TV’s new Windfall Films series, ‘Born in the Wild’.

Dr Adam Munn (centre) pictured on location at Fowlers Gap with Professor Joy Reidenberg and Mark Evans for filming of part of the series for ‘Born in the Wild’.

This episode will explore the reproductive biology and behaviour of Australia’s iconic kangaroos. Dr Munn will appear in the show along with the main presenters, anatomist Professor Joy Reidenberg, and veterinarian Mark Evans. Professor Reidenberg is an American comparative anatomist specialising in the vocal and breathing apparatus. Mark is an English veterinary surgeon turned television presenter.

Filming for the kangaroo segment of the series took place at Dr Munn’s laboratory at Fowlers Gap in early 2014. Professor Reidenberg has also been working on some research projects with Dr Munn.

Dr Munn said that one key feature of the program was the witnessing and filming of something never before seen -- a mother kangaroo feeding two young out of the pouch, and one in the pouch.

“I have never heard of, or observed that before, and is key to understanding the nature of ‘good mothers’ in kangaroo survival in Australia’s arid centre,” Dr Munn said.

The documentary recently aired in the United Kingdom and the United States with high-praising reviews.

The overall ‘Born in the Wild’ series involves four episodes featuring elephants in episode 1, kangaroos in episode 2, orangutans in episode 3 and dolphins in episode 4.

The documentary will air in Australia from 7.30pm on SBS-TV on Saturday 20 September.