Teens charged with cruel act of beating kangaroos to death near Batemans Bay

This single surviving joey, Hope, has been taken into care by WIRES. Photo: WIRES Facebook.

Two teenagers have been charged over the deliberate slaying of more than a dozen kangaroos in the Eurobodalla last weekend.

The boys will appear in children’s court on Friday 22 November 2021 after allegedly deliberately killing 14 kangaroos north of Batemans Bay.

Just after 7 am on Saturday (9 October 2021), police were called to the Long Beach area after reports that a number of kangaroos had been killed.

Officers from South Coast Police District attended along with WIRES, locating five adult kangaroos and one joey dead on Blairs Road and Sandy Place.

A short time later, police were notified a further seven kangaroos and one joey had been found dead in the Maloney’s Beach area.

They also located an injured joey, which was taken to WIRES and is now in care.

Kangaroos are a common sight in both suburbs, often grazing on lawns and nature strips.

Following investigations and a public appeal for information, officers arrested two 17-year-old boys at Batemans Bay Police Station about 6:30 pm on Monday 11 October 2021.

The pair were issued with a Court Attendance Notice (CAN) for recklessly beating and killing an animal.

The incident has shocked and horrified the local community, with people taking to social media to describe the boys’ actions as “despicable”, “gutless” and “cruel.”

“Kangaroos are an iconic Aussie animal,” one man wrote, “for the most part they are very timid. They are on our property most days for decades and (we) have never had an issues.”

WIRES thanked the local community for helping police with their investigations.

“It is a tragic and senseless act that has left an indelible mark on our dedicated Mid South Coast branch volunteers who attended the scene, as well as the local residents,” a spokesperson said.

“A single surviving joey was located nearby on Saturday morning by a member of the public. She has been aptly nicknamed ‘Hope’ and is now in care with local WIRES member Shelley.

“We will continue to update you on Hope’s progress.”