A viral photograph that did the round this hebdomad is turning out to be a lot darker than previously thought .

The prototype of the threeeastern grey kangaroos(Macropus giganteus ) was ab initio report to show the   male   cradle a pass cooperator as their joey   look on . However , wildlife experts have say this is not the case – the reality is a lot more brutish .

Evan Switzer , the photographer who catch the bit in Queensland , Australia , mark the   “ protective ” demeanour at the time .

However , Dr. Derek Spielman , a fourth-year reader in veterinary pathology at the University of Sydney , toldThe Guardianthat he had “ no doubt ” the male kangaroo was in reality trying to have sex with the female . In add-on , he said it ’s pretty likely that she was killed through the “ severe harassment and even physical insult ” involved in kangaroos ' intense pairing behaviour .

The kangaroo then went on to seize the female person , in a behavior called “ mate guarding , ” to keep her away from other males .

“ Competition between male to mate with female person can be fierce and can end in serious scrap , ” Spielman toldThe Guardian . “ It can also cause severe harassment and even physical abuse of the target female person , in particular when she is unresponsive or tries to get away from an amorous male person .

“ chase of these females by male can be persistent and very aggressive to the tip where they can obliterate the female . That is not their intention but that unfortunately can be the result , so interpreting the male person ’s actions as being based on upkeep for the welfare of the female person or the joey is a gross mistake , so much so that the male might have actually cause the last of the female person . ”

Dr. Mark Eldridge , the Australian Museum ’s principal enquiry scientist , has also verbalise about the double being misinterpreted on ablog post for the museum . He pronounce he believes the joey in the image was probably adjudicate to suckle his female parent , unaware she was idle .

Dr. Eldridge told theBBC , " There is a hard bond between the female parent and the untested but it ’s hard to assign emotions to those variety of situations .

" There does seem to be much clear grounds with more intelligent mammals such as copycat and elephants , but there is not clear grounds with kangaroos , "   he added .

" These are not trivial multitude , they are kangaroo . "