Kangaroo attacks in Australia
Kangaroo attacks in Australia are rare because kangaroos are usually docile however can attack if provoked or cornered, and have been known to kill dogs. Very occasionally they can attack even if not provoked.
Figures
PhD student Guy Ballard, with the University of New England discovered more stories of kangaroo attacks than he expected in his research into them.[1], which included two incidents in 1999 and 2002, and 15 to 20 reports in the area between Coffs Harbour and Sydney.[2] The only reliably documented case of a fatality from a kangaroo attack occurred in New South Wales, in 1936. A hunter was killed when he tried to rescue his two dogs from a heated fray. There have been deaths in motor vehicle accidents caused by kangaroos,[3][4][5] with 13 deaths from 2,100 crashes involving kangaroos between 1996 and 2006[6], and more than 6,000 collisions involving kangaroos in 2008 just in New South Wales.[7]
Cause
If there is a shortage of food, kangaroos can enter suburbs and have caused attacks (which may be unintentional or in self-defence), as have occurred in Melbourne[8] and Canberra.[9][10] There are very few records of kangaroos attacking humans without provocation; however, several such unprovoked attacks in 2004 spurred fears of a rabies-like disease possibly affecting the marsupials. Other suggested causes for erratic and dangerous kangaroo behaviour include extreme thirst and hunger.
Prevention
The Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management mentions kangaroos can be aggressive towards people, and advises that if approached by an aggressive kangaroo, people should keep it at a distance so that it cannot kick or scratch.[11] The Animal Planet video on avoiding kangaroo attacks says the main defence is to keep moving out of the animal's kicking range. [12]
Laws
The New South Wales Court of Appeal ruled in Shorten v Grafton District Golf Club (2000) that a golf course had a duty of care to warn patrons of the danger of kangaroo attack, after a 13 year old boy was injured by one in 1996.[13]
Coverage
Several of the attacks have been widely reported in international media. In particular the 1988 attack in the Grampians which was filmed was shown on World's Most Shocking Moments [14] and reported elsewhere internationally.[15] The 1996 attack on the golf course in Grafton was shown on the Animal Planet series After the Attack Episode 3 and reported by National Geographic[16] and others.[17] The recent attacks in Sunbury were widely reported in Australia[18][19] as well as international media[20][21] The kangaroo which smashed through the window of the house in Garran in 2009 was also reported internationally.[22][23][24][25]
Types
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The Red Kangaroo is the largest kangaroo and found in central and western Australia.
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The Eastern Grey Kangaroo is found in southern and eastern Australia.
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The Western Grey Kangaroo is found in western and southern Australia.
List of attacks
Below is a list of kangaroo attacks that occurred in Australia in reverse chronological order.
21st century
Name, age | Date | Species | Location; Comments |
---|---|---|---|
64yo man, | 2009 | Eastern Grey | Sunbury, [26] |
67yo woman | 2009 | Eastern Grey | Melbourne, [27] |
family | March 2009 | Eastern Grey | Garran, kangaroo smashed through window of suburban house, was wrestled by the owner and dragged out, who received scratches[28][29][30] |
man in 50s | 2008 | Eastern Grey | Sunbury, Melbourne, man attacked by a kangaroo while jogging at 1.30pm[31] |
65yo woman | July 2008 | Eastern Grey | Mudgee, was walking through a wooded area of the property on her way to tend to her horses when a two metre kangaroo attacked.[32] |
85yo man | Apr 2008 | Musk, Victoria, [33] | |
young male | 2006 | Eastern Grey | North Coast, [34] |
Christine Canham | July 2004 | Eastern Grey | Canberra, kangaroo held dog underwater and drowned it.[35][36] |
48yo woman | March 2004 | Burpengary, kangaroo pushed a woman to the ground, kicked, bit and scratched her [37][38] | |
couple | July 2003 | Monto, kangaroo knocked them to ground at a caravan park, caused scratches. Man killed kangaroo with axe.[39][40] |
20th century
Name, age | Date | Species | Location; Comments |
---|---|---|---|
13yo male | October 1996 | Eastern Grey | Grafton, kangaroo attacked him while looking for a ball at which went into the bush at a golf course, received facial wounds and cuts, golf course was sued in the Supreme Court of New South Wales in Shorten v Grafton District Golf Club [41] |
36yo man | 1988 | Eastern Grey | Grampians National Park, at a camping area, required 30 stitches[42] Also shown on World's Most Shocking Moments voiced by John Bunnell.[43] |
12yo girl, 40yo man | Easter 1985 | Ningaloo, girl attacked at Easter barbecue, father bitten while trying to free her[44][45] | |
86yo man | 1972 | Granite Island near Victor Harbour, received bruises and lacerations, kangaroo was shot[46] | |
Chester | 1970s | Albany, [47] | |
3 men | Dec 1943 | Lachlan River near Cowra, men returning from fishing were attacked by a kangaroo, two men were knocked down [48] | |
14yo boy | Feb 1940 | Sandy Hollow, boy's dog had fought the kangaroo, which the kangaroo hurled off a cliff, and then attacked the boy, inflicting serious injuries [49] | |
'old' Japanese shopkeeper | 1936 | Darwin, kangaroo caused several cuts and abrasions before the man beat it off [50] | |
hunter | 1936 | New South Wales, only known fatality[51] | |
farmer | 1933 | Western Australia, a farmer had been attacked by a kangaroo, which was described as unusual [52] | |
driver | May 1933 | Darwin, kangaroo jumped onto open vehicle smashing a window, driver scratched by its claws[53] | |
37yo male | Nov 1931 | Corpus Christi College, Werribee kangaroo rushed at waiter who entered reserve where kangaroos were kept, needed several stitches. Same kangaroo described as having made an attack on another employee in January.[54] | |
L. Johnson | 1929 | Carrajung South, dog 'bailed up the kangaroo', when the man tried to rescue his dog, the kangaroo attacked him, inflicting a deep wound on his neck. The kangaroo then tried to drown the dog but the man beat the roo off and saved the dog.[55] | |
man, wife & gardener | 1924 | Wanganella, Was a pet kangaroo, but turned loose because of the attacks.[56] | |
4yo | 1923 | Balgowan, Yorke's Peninsula, attacked by a pet kangaroo, which caused cuts and bruises [57] | |
young man | 1904 | Reedy Creek, when he intervened to save his dog, he was clasped by the kangaroo and pushed in the creek three times, received bruises and scratches [58] | |
Mr. Harry Grattan | 1900 | Puckapunyal, [59] |
19th century
Name, age | Date | Species | Location; Comments |
---|---|---|---|
labourer named Armstrong | Aug 1880 | Waterloo station, 10 miles from Walcha, Man tried to drive a kangaroo away from eating straw in an area with scarce feed, the kangaroo resisted and attacked and held the man, an 11yo boy intervened and killed the kangaroo with an axe.[60] | |
Mr. John Burke | 1875 | Mullengandra, He chased three kangaroos, when one was cornered, it attacked him, giving him a mauling, he only escaped because of his dog's assistance.[61] | |
young man | 1873 | Mitchell's Creek, [62] | |
unnamed Aboriginal man | 1873 | Red | Yanga, Balranald, A kangaroo refused to leave, an Aboriginal man encouraged to fight it, the kangaroo grabbed the man, who managed to escape.[63] |
16yo male | 1872 | Browns, kangaroo attacked boy, dog and man intervened and fought off kangaroo, reputedly in an hour long fight, leading to death of the kangaroo.[64] | |
Thomas Barlow | 1867 | Woranga, a kangaroo hunter's dog attacked the kangaroo, fight followed between the man and kangaroo.[65] |
Reference
- ^ Roo rage stories excite researcher ABC news 3 February 2005
- ^ Roo rage on the rise, research reveals AAP February 1, 2005
- ^ The road environment and its impact on kangaroos by Daniel Ramp, University of New South Wales
- ^ Driver killed in roo crash Bendigo Advertiser 06 Nov, 2009
- ^ Kangaroo crash kills man News.com.au October 17, 2006
- ^ Kangaroos a deadly road menace in Australia China Post August 27, 2009
- ^ New NRMA Insurance research shows kangaroos are collision risk for drivers
- ^ Roo attacks rise as suburbs spread, The Age
- ^ Starving kangaroos attack city residents
- ^ Pet warning on kangaroo attacks BBC news 10 Aug 2004
- ^ Kangaroos introduction Qld DERM
- ^ Surviving a kangaroo attack, Animal Planet
- ^ Shorten v Grafton District Golf Club Ltd [2000 NSWCA 58 (23 March 2000)]
- ^ Kangaroo attacks english tourist video, voiceover by John Bunnell
- ^ http://articles.latimes.com/1988-10-23/news/mn-265_1_male-kangaroo Australian Injured in Kangaroo Attack] October 23, 1988
- ^ Kangaroo Attacks in Australia Spotlight Growing Turf War, National Geographic May 6 2005
- ^ Golfer in kangaroo attack wins damages The Independent
- ^ Kangaroo attack lands man in hospital WA today
- ^ Kangaroo attack lands man in hospital The Age Aug 27, 2009
- ^ Pensioner 'seriously injured' after she was attacked by a hungry kangaroo Daily Mail 18th April 2009
- ^ Man injured in kangaroo attack Taranaki daily news
- ^ Kangaroo Bursts Through Bedroom Window, Ransacks House Fox news
- ^ Australian wrestles kangaroo from family home msnbc Mar 9, 2009
- ^ Capital May Take up Arms Against a Kangaroo Glut ABC News (US) Apr 12, 2009
- ^ Man wrestles crazed ninja kangaroo after it invades family home Times online Mar 10, 2009
- ^ Kangaroo attack lands man in hospital WA today, Aug 26 2009
- ^ Kangaroo attack leaves Melbourne woman with cuts The Australian, Apr 18 2009
- ^ Kangaroo terrorises Garran family
- ^ Man beats up 'kangaroo Jackie Chan' in house CNN March 9, 2009
- ^ Hero in underpants 'tackles 'roo' BBC News 10 March 2009
- ^ Jogger dials triple-0 after kangaroo attack News.com.au, Sep 1 2008
- ^ Smith, Sandy (21 July 2008). "Kangaroo attack". Mudgee Guardian. Retrieved 2009-10-25.
- ^ Kangaroo attack Hepburn Advocate, 9/04/2008
- ^ [1]
- ^ Australia on angry kangaroo alert BBC News 7 July, 2004
- ^ Kangaroo Hazard, New York Times July 8, 2004
- ^ What It Feels Like...to Be Attacked by a Kangaroo Esquire magazine, August 1, 2005
- ^ Roo attacks woman, Sydney Morning Herald March 17, 2004
- ^ Australian axes to death 'killer' kangaroo BBC 14 July, 2003
- ^ "Killer" roo chopped with axe The Age 11 July 2003
- ^ Damages should be paid for kangaroo attackIndependent.co.uk, 23 March 2000
- ^ Australian Injured in Kangaroo Attack Los Angeles Times October 23, 1988
- ^ Kangaroo attacks english tourist video, voiceover by John Bunnell
- ^ Kangaroo Attacks 2 in Australian Town Boston Globe Archives Apr 11 1985
- ^ Kangaroo mauls girl at easter barbecue Chicago Tribune Apr 11 1985
- ^ Kangaroo attacks man Sydney Morning Herald May 14 1972
- ^ Roo rage stories excite researcher ABC news 3 February 2005
- ^ Three men hurt by kangaroo The Canberra Times 1 January 1944
- ^ Boy injured by kangaroo, attack on cliff The Argus 8 February 1940
- ^ Pet kangaroo attacks Japanese The Canberra Times 3 January 1936
- ^ Kangaroos and Dogs Kangaroo Protection Coalition
- ^ Most unusual attack by kangaroo The Courier-Mail 28 August 1933
- ^ Shock for motorist, Encounter with kangaroo The Argus 31 May 1933
- ^ Attacked by pet kangaroo The Argus 23 November 1931
- ^ "Attacked by Kangaroo. Man saves dog from death". The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.). 13 December 1929. p. 12. Retrieved 2009-10-25.
- ^ Fighting Kangaroo The Argus 29 February 1924
- ^ Pet kangaroo attacks child The Argus 11 August 1923
- ^ [2]
- ^ Fight with a kangaroo The Argus 21 August 1900
- ^ Thrilling Encounter with a Kangaroo The Maitland Mercury & Hunter River General Advertiser 28 August 1880
- ^ An Encounter with a Kangaroo Northern Territory Times and Gazette 13 March 1875
- ^ from Wellington correspondent, The Argus 18 November 1873
- ^ Encounter with a kangaroo, from the Pastoral Times The Argus 18 November 1873
- ^ A kangaroo story The Argus 21 June 1872
- ^ Encounter with a kangaroo The Argus 4 February 1867
External links
- Kangaroo Attacks in Australia Spotlight Growing Turf War, National Geographic
- video, Kangaroo attacks on the rise Sydney Morning Herald 28/08/09
- Kangaroo attacks, Amazing Australia
- Surviving a kangaroo attack, Animal Planet