Don’t mess with scavenging kangaroos, Aussies warned
Wildlife authorities said the usually harmless, grass-eating Eastern Grey kangaroos - the symbol of Australia - are being driven by hunger from the drought-stricken countryside into the city of 320,000, where the water supply has kept conditions greener.
The Australian Capital Territory Environment Department warned residents to be aware after a woman was attacked by a kangaroo in a city park.
Another woman reported a kangaroo had drowned her golden retriever in a pond and injured two dogs in an unprovoked attack.
The dogs had been swimming when a large kangaroo appeared on the bank and entered the water, said owner Christine Canham.
The kangaroo “held her under the water with its back legs and drowned her as we watched helpless”, Canham said.
Government wildlife ecologist Murray Evans said he was concerned residents might forget kangaroos are wild animals.
“Kangaroos don’t come bounding out of the bush looking for people to attack,” Evans said.
“It’s usually kangaroos minding their own business and people thinking they’re cute and cuddly and getting too close.”
Hunger has broken the kangaroos’ usual routine of lazing in the shade by day and feeding by night.
Kangaroos are now more likely to be seen feeding during the day, particularly on well-watered open spaces such as golf courses and sporting fields, which makes them likely to come into contact with humans.
