OUTRAGE OVER ROO PIECED BY ARROW

News Source: Sunshine Coast Daily, page 5, Friday 8th October, 2004
By: Elizabeth Tilley

Vet calling for ban on crossbow hunting after saving kangaroo

An Australia Zoo vet is calling for a ban on crossbow hunting after saving a wounded kangaroo with an arrow piercing through its body from a cruel death yesterday.

The female roo, which was carrying a joey in its pouch, was found in its painful state by a resident early Wednesday morning at Curra, near Gympie.

Vet Jon Hanger tranquilised the animal yesterday and managed to successfully remove the long bow arrow during an expensive operation at the Steve Irwin Conservation Foundation’s Wildlife hospital.

Mr Hanger said he was outraged at the incident and described the kangaroo’s condition as “like being stabbed with a 30cm butcher’s knife”. “There’s no way you can hunt in a humane way with an arrow,” Mr Hanger said. “It’s extremely painful and should not be legal.” “This is not the first time I’ve treated a kangaroo for this.”

Wildcare Australia Gympie volunteer Paula Rowlands said she believed the arrow, which had gone through the top of the inside of the roo’s right flank and exited near the tail, had been fired on Tuesday.

Mrs Rowlands said the joey was healthy, but the mother had been struggling to stay alive.

Curra resident Jo Pinkerton, who found the wounded roo outside her property, described the act as one of “sheer cruelty”.

Mrs Pinkerton said the roo she named “Piper” was no stranger to residents in the area, and had kept an eye on her until help arrived.

Tiaro Police Senior Constable Bob Maragna said the arrow would be inspected by police and investigations continued.

Police from the Weapons Licensing Branch will visit the Coast this month to discuss a new law which will require crossbow owners to meet certain criteria to keep them.

Click here to find out more about the Steve Irwin Conservation Foundation