Australian man killed by kangaroo believed to having been kept as pet

In Perth, Australia, a 77-year-old man believed to having kept a kangaroo as a pet was killed by the animal on Sunday at the man’s rural home in Redmond. This was reportedly the first fatal attack on a human by a kangaroo since 1936.

According to the Western Australian Police, the kangaroo had attacked the man earlier in the day, and when paramedics arrived to help, the kangaroo became very defensive and aggressive and would not allow the medical team to reach the injured man. A relative had found the man and called authorities Police then fatally shot the kangaroo.

According to NPR, kangaroos can weigh up to 120 pounds and stand four-feet tall. These marsupials are extremely strong and can lash out with their powerful and clawed hind legs when fighting.

Although some citizens in western Australia are allowed to have kangaroos on their property, they are not to be kept as pets since the animals do not do well when kept in captivity. It is not known if the man had a permit.

(Photo via Pixabay)

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