If you are attacked, drop to the ground and curl into a ball with your hands protecting your face and throat. Try to remain calm and still until the animal moves away, or if you can, keep low to the ground and move behind some form of cover. Report incidents to your local authorities.
Keep your distance
If it moves toward you, or shows signs of being aggressive, move away (even if it is only looking for food or human contact, a kangaroo or wallaby may still become aggressive). Don't act aggressively towards the kangaroo or wallaby, as this will simply reinforce the idea that you are a threat.
Indeed, a pet kangaroo may perceive its human owner as a rival kangaroo or a potential predator, or perhaps both. As a result, kangaroos sometimes attack people, causing nasty and even fatal injuries.
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. Meanwhile, humans would have to attack the kangaroo's head.
"Just get away from it as fast as you can." That's the advice from a wildlife expert to anyone who comes face-to-face with a kangaroo. Ian Temby, who spent 33 years with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, said kangaroo attacks are rare, but could be fatal in some circumstances.
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.
Accidentally hitting an animal is not against the law, nor is it deemed to be your fault.
If the kangaroo is still alive, don't attempt to move it. Instead, call the injured wildlife hotline at 1300 596 457 or the nearest wildlife organisation you are aware of.
In addition to their females' pouches, kangaroos are known for their “boxing” skills, and here's the reason why: Male kangaroos often fight to establish dominance or win a mate. Fights consist mostly of balancing on their tails while trying to knock their opponent off balance.
Kangaroos face few natural predators, aside from humans and wild dogs called dingoes. Heat, drought, and hunger due to vanishing habitat are among the largest threats to kangaroos.
Can a kangaroo kick kill you? Kangaroos are animals that weigh up to 90 kg (200 lbs). Since these animals can hop up to 70 km/h (43 mph) with their strong hind legs, they naturally have a lot of power when kicking. People can be killed by a kangaroo kick, but it does not happen in practice.
Kangaroo attacks in Australia are rare because kangaroos are usually docile; however, they can attack when provoked or cornered, and they have been known to kill dogs. Very occasionally they can attack even if not provoked.
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.
Call the relevant wildlife rescue service or police. Take the roo to the nearest vet, if possible and safe to do so, or wait for assistance. If your vehicle is not safe to drive because of any damage sustained in the collision, stay put.
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.
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.
It can however be considered an offence to leave the accident scene without checking on the condition of an injured animal. Drivers aren't expected to give first aid, but they should call the relevant local wildlife rescue organisation and seek their advice on how to safely help or ease the pain of an injured animal.
A kangaroo collision can cause many different types of damage to your vehicle. These could be as relatively insignificant as a smashed headlight or cracked bumper, to a serious head-on collision that results in a crumpled-up bonnet and internal damage, potentially with your engine.
Kangaroos are getting into the most trouble on the roads, with 7,992 kangaroo collision AAMI claims in the recorded year between March 2018 and February 2019. Roos made up a whopping 83% of all animal collisions.
Threats to kangaroos
Kangaroos have few natural predators: Dingoes, humans, Wedge-tailed Eagles and, before their extermination, Tasmanian Tigers. Introduced carnivores, such as wild dogs and foxes prey on the young, and introduced herbivores compete with kangaroos for food.
Shooting is considered to be the most effective and humane method to control kangaroos because the animals die quickly and it reduces the numbers rapidly. The lethal control of kangaroos by shooting is done in accordance with the National Code of Practice for the Humane Shooting of Kangaroos and Wallabies.
Keep the areas of mown, fertilised grass, and large shade trees to a minimum - these attract kangaroos. Backyard barriers such as plantings, hedges, garden • furniture and other obstacles can be effective in discouraging kangaroos from hanging out in the high use areas close to your home.