When animals attack … Melbourne Runaway Roo edition
From News.com.au …
A toddler was knocked over and a police officer had his shirt torn to shreds during the chaotic scenes captured on video in suburban Reservoir.
The Eastern Grey kangaroo is believed to have lost touch with his mob, before being lost in the streets just metres from Ruthven Railway Station.
Police blocked off several streets as wildlife rescuers set up nets to trap the marsupial fugitive, which leapt between several backyards.
“Pretty much when the kangaroo comes towards us and hits the net we’ll pull it over, keep it tucked in drop right down to keep the hold,” Wildlife Victoria rescuer Narelle Smith said.
But things did not go to plan after a police officer holding a net appeared to panic when the large roo, which rescuers said was “as big as they come” headed towards him.
A young boy watching the drama, was knocked down by the hopping kangaroo and was lucky to avoid serious injuries.
But the kangaroo’s powerful claws tore the officer’s shirt to shreds, before it again bounded away.
The kangaroo was finally trapped after volunteer rescuers crept up to where it had decided to nap under a tree on a road verge.
“Normally they’re a lot more straightforward than this one. He gave us a run for our money, but thankfully we won in the end,”
“Narelle rescues as many as 1000 kangaroos-a-year, but it’s all completely volunteer work,” Ms Fernee said.
“They’re coming into the suburbs because there’s so much development to Melbourne’s north, in the traditional habitat for many of the mobs, but there’s no allowance for the animals in those areas.”
“Supermarkets and new houses are pushing them this way.”
