Sidney, Europe Brief News – An Australian elderly man died after he was attacked by the wild animal, which he reportedly kept as a pet.
It is believed the 77-year-old was attacked by the angry marsupial at his Redmond property, near Albany.
The man was found by a family member with serious injuries about 5pm.
Emergency services were called to the scene, but the kangaroo prevented paramedics from accessing the property, as it became violent.
Police were called and decided to kill the kangaroo, as it was posing a threat to emergency responders.
The man died at the scene from his injuries.
Australian Reptile Park life science manager Hayley Shute said it was important to show respect around wild animals and remember how dangerous male kangaroos could be.
“The public sort of see kangaroos and koalas as fluffy, cuddly animals. I think it’s just important to note that they are wild animals and there’s a level of respect you have to give them,” she told NCA NewsWire.
“The icon, that picture of an Australian kangaroo, is usually a female kangaroo with a joey sticking his head out of the pouch and they look so cute and sweet.
“But male kangaroos, part of their life and hierarchy within the mob is to take on the male that’s bigger than it. There’s a struggle there to become the alpha male and that’s part of a male kangaroo’s life and behaviour.
“At any point, these males are going to take on a threat to it and it’s a behavioural instinct for them.”
Western Australia’s Albany region is home to western grey kangaroos. Males can weigh 70kg and be 223cm tall from head to tail.
The 77-year-old man’s death was Australia’s first reported fatal kangaroo attack since 1936.
