Section 530 of the Crimes Act prescribes a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison for “serious animal cruelty”, which includes torturing, beating or killing an animal.
Ordinarily, it is illegal to kill, buy, sell or possess a kangaroo in Australia. However, in response to the growing kangaroo population, the Australian government permits licence holders to 'cull' or shoot kangaroos.
Under this Act, it is illegal to 'harm' (defined as kill, injure or capture) a kangaroo or 'attempt to harm' (including hunt, pursue or use anything for the purpose of harming) a kangaroo without a licence. Read the Living with kangaroos brochure to learn more about kangaroos and how to avoid conflict with them.
Kangaroos collisions can cost up to $5,000 in damages. In extreme cases, you may have to write off your car, as the cost of repairs can exceed the car's value. Thankfully, it's possible to claim these expenses from your insurer, provided you have a comprehensive car insurance policy that covers animal damage.
The last was in 1936, when a 38-year-old New South Wales man, William Cruickshank, reportedly died from head injuries after trying to save his dogs from a kangaroo.
A 77-year-old man has died in 2022 after being attacked by a kangaroo he had been keeping as a pet in Redmond, Western Australia. It is the first fatal kangaroo attack reported in Australia since 1936.
A kangaroo would win a fight against a human being.
In the wild, a kangaroo will try to grasp their prey and then tear into it with the claws on its feet. This will inflict devastating wounds on a human being or even disembowel them. Without weapons and armor, humans are fragile to these wild animals.
Accidentally hitting an animal is not against the law, nor is it deemed to be your fault.
If the animal has been injured during a road collision, keep yourself safe and ensure you are not in danger of being hit by traffic.” If able to do so safely, check if the roo is alive; if it is dead, then check its pouch. Call the relevant wildlife rescue service or police.
Report injured wildlife by calling WIRES on 1300 094 737, or use the IFAW Wildlife rescue app to find a suitable wildlife rescue organisation for your location.
Section 530 of the Crimes Act prescribes a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison for “serious animal cruelty”, which includes torturing, beating or killing an animal. These offences can be prosecuted by Police as in this case, or by animal welfare groups such as the RSPCA.
5% of road accidents involve collisions with animals, and a staggering 80% to 90% of those are with kangaroos. It's a tragic and upsetting situation to suddenly find yourself in, but for those travelling on outback roads, it's very common.
Professional kangaroo shooters have largely turned to the . 223, as it does the job with readily available components.
Brake Heavily, Don't Swerve
In case a kangaroo inevitably jumps in front of your vehicle, it is best to just brake heavily instead of trying to swerve to avoid them. The best advice is to just slow down and try braking in a straight line. You should only try swerving once your vehicle has slowed down sufficiently.
Those seeking to control kangaroos by killing them as 'pests' ignore the diversity of the different kangaroo species and their various roles in Australia's fragile eco- system. There is evidence that some species, such as the red kangaroo, may actually be on the brink of an irreversible population collapse.
They can cause serious injury. Their sharp claws can make deep cuts, and their powerful kicks can cause severe bruising and internal injuries.
Move away as slowly as possible to a safe place. Give a short, deep cough; avoid eye contact; bow your head; and keep your arms close to your body as you move away. This will make you appear smaller and less of a threat to the kangaroo. Do not turn your back on the animal or run.
Kangaroos travel in large groups. Fast vehicles with headlights on will startle them, causing them to frantically hop in random directions. Kangaroos are most active at dusk and dawn, when they're hardest to see. It doesn't help that their fur colour camouflages them.
However, they can hurt people. The risk of being attacked by a kangaroo is very low. Several thousand people seek medical attention each year for injuries from domestic pets, while fewer than five people in NSW are treated for kangaroo-related injuries.
The bite force can reach up to 900 PSI, while the bite force of a human is about 162 PSI. The bite force of kangaroos is equal to the top predators. The punch force of kangaroos can reach up to 275 pounds, whereas the punch force of heavier and more vigorous men can reach up to 45 pounds.
An American tourist was seen fighting a kangaroo in Perth, Western Australia. The man was shown lightly kicking the animal away, which kept charging towards him. "It's like the kangaroo just wanted to have a bar fight because the dude was messing with his lady," one user said.
Which animal can you beat in a fight? The weakest animal you could beat in a fight is a rat or cat (around 70%) while the strongest animal you could beat is a grizzly bear, lion, elephant, or gorilla (around 3%). The other animals include goose, dog, eagle, chimpanzee, cobra, kangaroo, wolf, and crocodile.