When Killer Kangaroos Attack! By John Steele
Giant aggressive kangaroos have been attacking people in the coastal town of Maaroom on Queensland's Fraser Coast. A number of people, older ones have been injured. It is odd, as I have noticed from my long time in the bush, encountering thousands of roos, that these are usually peaceful creatures, and only once did I have a King Kong size roo confront me, but wisely he soon backed down. Yes, people have died because of kangaroos, but this is usually from road accidents.
People in that little town are starting to carry big sticks but unless one is skilled in stick fighting, a determined roo will still wipe you out. And, it is likely that the roo will be injured if struck violently in the head, or not injured at all by a body strike, only made angrier. Since this is Australia, not America, the problem cannot be solved by the individual, beyond avoiding these fellows. People probably encouraged this behaviour by feeding them, which broke down the human/roo barrier. Treat roos as would other dangerous animals, ones which like bears in North America are a protected species, and illegal to kill, let alone harm. Even whacking one with a stick is legally problematic, and avoidance is the best option, as with any dangerous creatures, including bears and humans. However, I do not agree with the advice of rolling up into a ball, as a roo jumping on one’s back could break the spine.
That said, the roos are my constant friends out here in the Victorian scrub in my tent. I had thought of saying that this would make a good horror movie, but look at the species hatred the movie Jaws did to great white pointer sharks, an important part of marine ecosytems. Kangaroos deserve better.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/advisor/2015/06/26/deadliest-australian-animals/
https://www.animallaw.info/intro/kangaroo-culling-australia
“A quiet coastal is under siege from an unlikely enemy, with some locals afraid to leave their homes because of a growing mob of kangaroos.
The 220 residents of Maaroom on Queensland's Fraser Coast have been forced to carry sticks and other implements when they leave their houses in an attempt to deter the aggressive 'roos, while others have tried to run the animals over with their cars.
Officials from Queensland's Parks and Wildlife service have asked locals to stay away from the huge eastern grey kangaroos in the area following attacks over the past year.
In July, a 67-year-old Sunshine Coast woman was brutally attacked by a kangaroo on a walk in Maaroom.
She was bowled over by the large 'roo before it began kicking her until a man charged it with a stick. It then turned its attention to him, chased the man away.
The woman was left hospitalised with a broken femur, scratches and bite marks.
Another attack in the town left a person with spinal injuries and their friend with multiple cuts on the arm.
The kangaroo population has been steadily growing in Maaroom and wildlife authorities have had to remove multiple problem kangaroos.
'Residents are advised to keep their distance from the kangaroos, to treat them with caution and to retreat if they approach,' said Frank Mills, manager at Southern Wildlife Operations.
Mr Mills also said the kangaroo population is encroaching on the town after residents started to feed them. The animals are also grazing on grass growing on residents' front lawns.
'The kangaroos are moving between nearby bushland and into the residential area...' Mr Mills said.
'At community meetings, we have received advice that some residents have been feeding the kangaroos, which can change the way the kangaroos interact with people.'
Mr Mills also said the feud between humans and the kangaroos had escalated with residents trying to defend themselves against the animals.
'We also received information that some residents are using gel-blasters to move the kangaroos on, while others are trying to run them over in their cars.
'This type of behaviour is not only an offence but will cause stress to the animals and bring them into conflict with other local residents, so we're advising all Maaroom residents that kangaroos can behave unpredictably and to stay away from them.'
'They've multiplied because we supply a Sizzler smorgasbord for them,' local resident Mark Sidaway told ABC News, saying La Nina conditions in the past two years had seen the 'roos feasting on quickly growing grass.
Manager of Maaroom Caravan Park Karen Sutcliffe told ABC many people were afraid to walk out of their homes for fear of kangaroo attacks.
People are walking around with big sticks now,
'I've been wanting to go fishing of an afternoon but I won't do that, just in case a kangaroo gets me.
'They're just so quick you don't know where they are.'”
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