By YASEMIN TALAT
KANGAROOS have been found shot dead with their ears cut off in Keilor raising concern for the safety of the Australian icon.
The Australian Society for Kangaroos is calling on the public to come forward with any information surrounding the illegal killings of kangaroos across Keilor over the last few weeks.
A fortnight ago Wildlife Victoria was contacted to rescue a juvenile kangaroo which was frightened for its life after being shot at.
The juvenile kangaroo was found by the volunteer rescuers, Julieanna and Gerti Kita, lying next to a buck, which had been shot dead and had his ears cut off.
The Keilor local who made the call told rescuers that he had seen several kangaroos shot dead in the area.
President of the Australian Society for Kangaroos Nikki Sutterby said people’s attitudes towards kangaroos had to change.
“The attitudes towards kangaroos are so appalling in this country,” Ms Sutterby said.
“People think if they want to go out and do a bit of hunting that kangaroos are fair game,” she said.
“They are shot with bows and arrows, they are rounded up and slaughtered … it’s a daily thing for our organisation to hear about these things.”
Ms Sutterby said kangaroos were family-orientated animals and would suffer severely when their family members were killed or hurt.
“When one of them dies the rest of them suffer, particularly the joeys who need their mums for 18 months and they can’t survive without her,” Ms Sutterby said.
The juvenile kangaroo found in Keilor, although not shot, died from shock several hours later at the Wildabout Wildlife Rescue Centre.
Kangaroos are protected under law across Australia, including Victoria, and those caught killing kangaroos illegally could face hefty fines, Ms Sutterby said.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the association on 0410 745 793 or 0417 354 408 or the police.
