Two teenagers were charged Tuesday over an alleged attack that killed 14 kangaroos, including two babies, on Australia’s east coast.
Locals discovered the dead eastern grey kangaroos near Batemans Bay on Saturday morning. Police found the dead animals across two separate areas near the beachside town.
The 17-year-old boys were charged for recklessly beating and killing an animal.
“It is a tragic and senseless act,” wildlife rescue organisation WIRES said on Facebook. They added that one joey, named Hope, had survived and was being treated by a member of WIRES.
“Surprisingly, she’s doing incredibly well,” Mid South Coast WIRES chair Janelle Renes told national broadcaster ABC about Hope. “It took about two hours to warm her up and to see any real signs that she was going to survive.”
Renes said that it’s just devastation “to think of the horror they [the kangaroos] would have gone through”.
Kangaroos in Australia
Kangaroos are an iconic symbol of Australia. They are known for their distinctive hopping and unique way of carrying young in their pouches. However, the relationship between kangaroos and humans in Australia is complex and characterized by both cultural significance and conflict.
They are featured on various national symbols and sports team logos, showcasing their importance in Australian culture.
But farmers also see them as pests. They want the land that kangaroos graze on for their commercial farm animals. This has led to controversial management practices, including killing, which aims to control their populations but often sparks debate about ethical and conservation issues.
The teenagers need to appear in children’s court on November 22.
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