An animal rights group has posted a $5000 reward for anyone with information leading to the identity of the person who shot a kangaroo, with joey in its pouch, with a practice arrow in Bundoora.
Wildlife Rescuers received a call about 11am on Sunday about the injured kangaroo who had been seen roaming near Fitzjohns Drive, Bundoora with a 70-centimetre fibreglass arrow pierced right through its chest.
Rescuer Sharon Bonnici, who was sent out to dart the animal, said the female eastern grey kangaroo was being protected by a mob of about 13 others when she arrived.
Ms Bonnici sedated the animal and drove her to the Lort Smith Animal Hospital whose staff were on standby to operate on the roo.
“The arrow had gone through the right side of her rib cage,” she said. “It would have been about 70 centimetres long and there was only about 15 centimetres left sticking out of her side.”
It is believed the kangaroo was shot from close range.
Dr Tristan Rich, Lort Smith’s head of exotics and wildlife, said the kangaroo and her 150 gram joey arrived in a critical condition.
The mother was given supplementary oxygen, treated for shock and had X-rays taken to assess the extent of the damage.
“It’s amazing that the arrow didn’t puncture her heart or lungs, and I was able to remove it quite easily,” he said.
It took almost two hours to remove and clean the wound.
Dr Rich said this is the second time he’s operated on a kangaroo that had been shot at with an arrow in the past six months.
“It’s horrifying. The joey is very young and now we’re concerned for his life. If his mother doesn’t survive, he’ll become an orphan at only two months.”
“There’s a danger that she may pass away purely from the stress of being in captivity.”
The kangaroo and her baby are now in a stable condition and are recovering at a wildlife centre in Kilmore.
Wildlife Rescuers’ Sharon Bonnici said the arrow was handed over the Mill Park police for evidence.
A group dedicated to protecting the rights of animals is offering a monetary reward for information that could lead to the arrest of the person responsible for shooting a joey-carrying kangaroo with an arrow on Sunday.
$5000 reward offered
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Australia is offering $5000 for leads that could help police identify who shot the kangaroo.
PETA campaign coordinator Claire Fryer called the offender a “coward.”
“We’re appealing to anyone with information on the person or persons responsible for this cruel act to come forward so that the perpetrators can be put where they belong: in jail,” she said.
Ms Fryer said animals were often used as “practice” victims.
Under the Prevention of Cruelty to Aniamls Act, cruelty to animals carries a penalty of up to $74,620 or two years improsonmment.
Call Wildlife Rescue on 0417 506 941 or 1300 094 535 for emergency rescues.
