'High as a Kite' Wallabies Draw Circles in Poppy Fields

It raises concerns about crop safety in Tasmania

By Ambreen Ali, Newser User

Posted Jun 25, 2009 1:07 PM CDT

(Newser) – Crop circles popping up in Australia aren’t the work of extraterrestrial visitors, but of stoned wallabies, Livenews reports. Marsupials have been breaking into poppy fields—which supply 50% of the world’s opium to pharmaceuticals—and munching on the crops. Then, “high as a kite,” they spin in circles until they crash, says Tasmania’s attorney general, vowing to review licensing policies and protect the drugs.

“There have been many stories about sheep that have eaten some of the poppies after harvesting and they all walk around in circles,” says a grower. “But as growers we try our best to try and stop this sort of consumption, particularly by livestock, due to concerns about the contamination of the meat.”

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Wallabies have been eating the poppy heads and getting high in Tasmania. (Wirrimbirra Flora and Fuana Sanctuary)

The marsupials aren't the only animals breaking into the poppy fields. Sheep have also been seen walking around in circles. (AP Photo/Heribert Proepper)

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We have a problem with wallabies entering poppy fields, getting as high as a kite and going around in circles. - Lara Giddings, Tasmania's
attorney general

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'High as a Kite' Wallabies Draw Circles in Poppy Fields