An expert says photographs which were claimed to show a "grieving" kangaroo farewelling its dying mate actually show something quite different.

The images, appearing to show a male kangaroo nursing its dying companion, pulled at heart strings on social media.

An expert has now revealed the images, taken by Hervey Bay local Evan Switzer, have been "fundamentally misinterpreted" and actually show an "agitated, sexually aroused" male kangaroo.

Dr Mark Eldridge, Australian Museum principal research scientist, said the kangaroo was not "propping up her head so she could see her joey before she died".

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

"The male is clearly highly stressed and agitated, his forearms are very wet from him licking himself to cool down.

"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."

Wildlife Rescue Officer Leonie Petrie said in her experience kangaroos would "take any opportunity they get" to mate.

"In my opinion I think he was looking for some love," she said.

Photographer spent more than an hour watching kangaroos

The photographs were taken by Evan Switzer while he was walking his dog on his neighbour's property in River Heads, south of Hervey Bay.

Mr Switzer told the ABC he watched the male kangaroo encourage the female to get up as a young joey stood nearby.

"I came across three kangaroos under the shade of a mango tree, my dog went towards them and I called her back and that's when I noticed the male trying to pick up the female," Mr Switzer said.

"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.

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

"At first I didn't think the mate was dead and then when it tried to lift it a far height up, it fell from its grasp and hit the ground," Mr Switzer said. ( Supplied: Evan Switzer )

Mr Switzer said he spent more than an hour watching the kangaroos.

"He would try and help her every five minutes then hop away and then come back to her," he said.

"The joey would come up to mum and have a sniff around and would then go away and come back again.

"Other kangaroos did come up to have a look but the male would chase them away, he was quite protective of her."

The amateur photographer said he could not see any injuries on the female kangaroo.

"I did check her but any time I tried to roll her over the male would come back towards me so I backed off," he said.

Kangaroos don't mourn the loss of loved ones: wildlife officer

Ms Petrie said kangaroos did not partner up for life and the males tended to look after a number of females in the mob.

"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," she said.

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

"Maybe he was realising she was going and it's a nice thought he was saying goodbye but I've seen [male] roos doing things to some very injured animals.

"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."

Images shared around the world

Regardless of the male's intent, Mr Switzer has been fielding calls from around the world since Monday.

"It's gone viral and I started getting calls from London and Germany," he said.

"I've had emails from the US wanting to share these photos … I've been at it since 3:00am … it's been an amazing ride."

The images and corresponding story prompted a flurry reactions on twitter with many poking fun at the initial assumption of a kangaroo grieving for his mate.

Loading

Loading

Loading