One of the kangaroos killed in the incident. Photo: WIRES.
Wildlife carers believe a group of kangaroos left dead and dying in the streets of a small South Coast village were deliberately targeted in a cruel attack.
Police investigations are continuing after a Long Beach resident called the Wildlife Information Rescue and Education Service (WIRES), reporting a dead adult female kangaroo and joey.
WIRES sent a volunteer, who found more victims.
“When speaking to the member of the public, something that the member of the public said made our member think he should check further down the road,” WIRES’ Mid-South Coast chair Janelle Renes said.
“He discovered three more kangaroos, all still alive but severely injured, on the road.
“It’s just heartbreaking.”
All the surviving kangaroos had to be euthanased.
Police were called in and are investigating the incident, which is the second of its kind in recent years.
On this occasion, police were called to Blairs Road, Long Beach, just north of Batemans Bay, about 10:20 pm on Sunday, 12 March.
“Initial inquiries suggest the kangaroos were killed between 6:30 pm and 10 pm that night,” a police spokesperson said.
“As inquiries continue, anyone with information is urged to call Batemans Bay police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”
This latest incident follows an attack in October 2021, when 14 kangaroos were deliberately killed. An injured joey was the only survivor and was taken into care by WIRES to be nursed back to health.
She has since recovered and been released back into the wild.
Two youths who were aged under 18 at the time admitted to the attack, and had their charges dismissed after a young offenders’ conference.
Ms Renes said it was disappointing to see more animals injured in a senseless attack.
She said it was always difficult for volunteers to witness injured animals and it affected many people.
“We do everything we can to save as many as we can,” she said. “When something like this happens, it upsets all our volunteers and members of the public too.”
Ms Renes urged members of the public to call WIRES or their local branch of another wildlife rescue organisation if they see an injured animal.
“If you can manage to, stay on the scene just to keep an eye on it,” she said.
She also appealed to drivers to slow down between dusk and dawn.
“Most people who are familiar with the areas that we live in know that the animals are on the roads or next to the roads at that time of the night,” Ms Renes said.
“If they slow down, it’s possible they won’t hit them.”
If you come across an injured animal, call WIRES’ Wildlife Rescue Line on 1300 094 737.
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