Rampaging Kanagroos Terrorise Towns, "...residents cowering in their homes"

Agence France-Presse ^ | April 11, 2003 | staff writer

[yankeedame]

Rampant roos terrorise towns

April 11, 2003

An out-of-control kangaroo population in rural Victoria has left some residents cowering in their homes, a National Party MP said today.

Noel Maughan, member for the seat of Rodney in central Victoria, said he had been lobbying the Victorian Government to redress the problem for months to no avail.

He said large numbers of kangaroos, who were stressed and starving because of the drought, had caused countless car accidents and had frightened locals.

"There's an anecdote of a kangaroo attacking and killing a dog," Mr Maughan told AAP.

"And clearly children that go out on their own are at risk of being attacked."

Mr Maughan wrote to Environment Minister John Thwaites about the issue in February describing a local woman who was "living in fear" as about 40 kangaroos invaded her garden each night prompting the security light to constantly go on and off.

"I am advised that they attacked and killed a dog recently and they will attack children and so there is a real fear of going out after dark," he wrote.

Resident Arnold Lovell said he was distressed by a large number of kangaroos on his 10 acre property and supported Mr Maughan's call for a cull.

Mr Lovell, a retiree, said an ambulance he called to his home just weeks after having heart surgery had been blocked by about 30 kangaroos in his driveway.

While the ambulance was eventually able to ferry Mr Lovell, it had been delayed in potentially life-threatening circumstances.

"I need this property cleared (of kangaroos) because I don't know when I'm going to need an ambulance in a hurry," he said.

Mr Lovell said the kangaroos had come into Heathcote and surrounding towns, desperate for any bit of greenery they could find.

He said he had been forced to hide in his shed when a two metre kangaroo menaced him as he was about to feed his cow.

Meanwhile, Mr Maughan said the government's relaxation of the rules last year which enabled farmers to fast track permits allowing them to shoot kangaroos had not helped.

"If that's all the government can do, it certainly hasn't had any effect on the people," he told AAP.

A spokesman for the RACV said the insurance company paid out about $4 million a year in compensation for car accidents caused by kangaroos.

A spokeswoman for Mr Thwaites was not immediately able to comment.

Agence France-Presse

[WaveThatFlag]

I am advised that they attacked and killed a dog recently and they will attack children

Dingo problem solved. No relief for babies.

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It is in the breaking news sidebar!

[Khepera]

Gun control at work.

[AppyPappy]

Today I was banned for using the expression "black trash." It seems that FR is a politically correct site as it is ok to use "white trash," but not "black trash."

I guess this is the WHINE that you serve with Kangaroo.

[ladtx]

What does that have to do with these kangaroos?

[Anitius Severinus Boethius]

What does that have to do with the Kangaroo situation in Central Victoria? Sounds to me like you need a place to complain.

Back to the topic, Roo meat is really tasty. Maybe if the good people of Central Victoria were allowed to own guns, they could have a grand Barbe-roo.

[Iowa Granny]

This sounds similar to the problem we have with White tail Deer here in Iowa. However, I have not heard of any reports of White tail abducting pets or children.

[Gefreiter]

I'm sure that if the US went through proper UN channels for discourse, this kangaroo situation could have been prevented, or resolved to the satisfaction of France and Russia.

Oh, sorry...what were we talking about?

[BlueLancer]

But are you logged on?

[Rocky Mountain High]

No kidding. I'm generally a "be kind to animals" type, but this is ridiculous.

[Starrgaizr]

[Stentor]

What's going to happen when the crossbows are confiscated?

[SquirrelKing]

We had a rampage here last summer. Fortunately it was a dud.

[Anitius Severinus Boethius]

No more Kang-ke-bobs?

[Conspiracy Guy]

Looks like a job for the Viking Kitties. Where are they when you need them?

[beachn4fun]

And you think you have problems with the moose population?

[the Deejay]

Roos are a major menace in Australia. The only way to get rid of them is to shoot them. Victoria may have to have a re-think over their outlaw of guns. Or the roos will rule.

[freelight]

Kanagroos? Sounds seriesly hugh!