Grieving kangaroo actually just wants sex: Australian experts

Photos shared across Australian social media reportedly showing a male kangaroo grieving over its dying mate have been debunked by experts claiming the endemic marsupial was just looking to have sex.

Photos taken in northern Queensland state of a male Kangaroo propping up his lifeless mate's head so she could see her joey before she died that pulled heart strings across Australian social media have been "fundamentally misrepresented," Australian Museum principle research scientist Mark Eldridge told Australia's national broadcaster on Thursday.

"This is a male trying to get a female to stand up so he can mate with her," Eldridge said.

"He is also sexually aroused. The evidence is here sticking out from behind the scrotum -- yes, in marsupials the penis is located behind the scrotum."

The amateur photographer who snapped the photos that have gone viral world-wide said he watched the kangaroos for hours before confirming the female was dead.

"At first I didn't think the mate was dead and then when it tried to lift it a fair height up it fell from its grasp and hit the ground," ameture photographer Evan Switzer said.

"That's when I realized the female was dead."

"I did check her but any time I tried to roll her over the male would come back towards me so I backed off," the photographer said, noting there were no visible injuries on the female.

Wildlife rescuer Leonie Petrie said Kangaroos will take any opportunity they can get to mate as they are not monogamous and look after many females.

"Unfortunately we do like to anthropomorphise these animals to think that they have these feelings we have and they would grieve the loss of a loved one," Petrie said.

"Sadly in my opinion I don't think that's the case," Petrie said.

"It's a great photo and I love the idea of it all but ... I have been before to kangaroos who have been hit by a car with a broken leg and the males are still chasing them down." Endit