Rescue Stories
Rare White Kangaroo - Shot? Left to Die a Slow Painful Death
22nd December 2009
The Wildlife Rescuers received a call to attend a property out at Eltham last week as the owners reported that a white kangaroo had been sleeping in one of their horse shelters and appeared to have an injury under its right armpit.
It is common for a kangaroo that is injured to separate itself from the rest of the mob as it may attract predators in its weakened state. This seemingly altruistic behaviour minimises the threat to the rest of the members of the mob, particularly the younger ones.
On first observing the kangaroo from a distance, his light colour was striking. There did, indeed, seem to be a dark patch under his arm and around his chest. The owners of the property, who were very concerned about the well-being of the roo, told us that he had been the subject of an article in a local newspaper only about a month earlier. This was because white kangaroos are so rare and he had become somewhat of a local celebrity
He was a big boy, about five and a half feet, but very wasted - not the once muscular, handsome boy he was sure to have been. Our first attempt at catching him with a roo net was unsuccessful and we had to come back at a later time when we could organise a licenced darter to tranquilise him. This happened last Thursday and it wasn't until he was sedated that the true extent of his injuries could be gauged.
He had a large gaping wound under his right arm which extended into the thoracic cavity; it was seething with maggots and emitted a putrid, decaying smell. He had lesser injuries to the inside of his left elbow. The injuries appeared to be caused by shotgun shot and that opinion was later supported by vets at the Healesville Wildlife Health Centre.
The injuries were so extensive that there was no hope in treating the poor boy and he had to be euthanised. Fortunately, the darter is a vet and this could be done quickly and painlessly to ensure he didn't suffer a minute longer.
As an autopsy was not possible, we cannot say with absolute certainty that he was shot but the extent and appearance of the injuries would suggest that this once magnificient beast was the victim of a cowardly attack. It is incomprehensible that he would be left to die a slow and painful death, tormented by flies and riddled with infection; unable to rest or be comfortable, always on alert, patiently waiting for death to relieve him of his misery.
Why couldn't he just be admired from a distance as a rare gift?
Thanks to Selina, Jacqui, Peter, Heidi and Leanne, Elaine and Chris, Margaret and Ian.
