Hunt for drivers after tourist town wakes to ‘horrendous’ kangaroo massacre
WARNING - CONFRONTING IMAGES AND CONTENT: Residents of a NSW beachside town have been left devastated by "hoons" who are believed to have mowed down at least 14 kangaroos.
With much of the state locked down due to the coronavirus, the Batemans Bay region had been relatively quiet until around 10:00pm last night.
Locals say anything “out of place” in their south coast community tends to stand out.
Police confirmed they attended the scene this morning after reports a number of kangaroos had been killed, and they are working to identify the drivers of two four-wheel-drive utilities.
"They have since been removed and initial inquiries suggest they may have been deliberately killed," a police spokesperson said.
"An investigation is underway into the circumstances and police have spoken to multiple witnesses and are examining CCTV from the area."
Rescuer traumatised after attending horrific scene
Investigations began when WIRES volunteer Caz Roberts was alerted to the incident just before 7am this morning.
Having rescued animals for six years, Ms Roberts has seen her fair share of horror, but this is "by far" one of the worst incidents she has been called to.
Among the five dead were two babies, one juvenile, and two adults, with bodies strewn across a local park in the suburb of Long Beach.
Tyre marks indicate a vehicle may have gone off road to chase down the animals.
Residents reported seeing a surviving injured joey hop away from the area, however despite a dedicated search it has not been found.
"We've all been through a hell of a time, the whole of Australia has, especially with the fires and COVID-19," Ms Roberts said.
"But this area was hugely impacted by the Black Summer fires, so we're not really getting much of a break from it.
"For people to do this for (what appears to be) their enjoyment is really sad."
Hope as kangaroo surviver found after 'gut-wrenching' morning
WIRES mid-south-coast-branch chairperson Janelle Renes was "exhausted" as she spoke to Yahoo News this evening.
After being called to the "gut-wrenching" scene at Long Beach by Ms Roberts, she returned home to find a member of public cradling a surviving joey which was clinging to life.
“The joey was extremely cold, freezing, and very close to death,” Ms Renes said.
“But she’s getting better.”
Sadly the Good Samaritan also revealed was that another mob had been massacred in a nearby suburb.
Second massacre zone found as police call for public help
International tourists often come to photograph the iconic scene of kangaroos hopping along Maloneys Beach, however just metres from the idyllic coast, the road was caked in blood.
Four kangaroos were immediately visible to Ms Renes, lying on the side of the road.
Locals confirmed they had dragged the bodies after coming across them late last night.
Another dead female was found hours later, with rescuers saying she appeared to have been dragged by a car.
Rescuers are on the lookout for a second joey which is believed to have fled the pouch after its mother was hit and killed.
“It was pretty horrendous,” Ms Renes said.
“It’s gut wrenching really, we try to save as many as we can, and then some mongrels have come along and (allegedly) done that sort of thing.’
Police call for witnesses to come forward
NSW Police are continuing their investigation and are calling on anyone with information to come forward.
'Emergency point': Australia to enter UN talks amid extinction crisis
Aussie region's heat records broken in worrying temperature rise
Climate crisis: Former fire chief 'deeply worried' for grandkids' future
"As part of inquiries, investigators are seeking to identify the drivers of two 4WD utilities seen in the areas of Blairs Road and Sandy Place, Long Beach and Maloneys Drive and Hibiscus Close, Maloneys Beach, between 10pm yesterday (Friday 8 October 2021) and 12:30am today," they said.
"Any witnesses, local residents who may have CCTV, or anyone with information that may assist investigators is urged to contact Batemans Bay Police Station on (02) 4472 0099 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.'
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play.
