Under this Act, it is illegal to 'harm' (defined as kill, injure or capture) a kangaroo or 'attempt to harm' (including hunt, pursue or use anything for the purpose of harming) a kangaroo without a licence. Read the Living with kangaroos brochure to learn more about kangaroos and how to avoid conflict with them.
Ordinarily, it is illegal to kill, buy, sell or possess a kangaroo in Australia. However, in response to the growing kangaroo population, the Australian government permits licence holders to 'cull' or shoot kangaroos.
Your responsibilities if you hit a kangaroo
If you accidentally hit an animal while driving, it is extremely unfortunate but almost certainly won't get you into legal trouble.
If you are attacked, drop to the ground and curl into a ball with your hands protecting your face and throat. Try to remain calm and still until the animal moves away, or if you can, keep low to the ground and move behind some form of cover.
If the animal has been injured during a road collision, keep yourself safe and ensure you are not in danger of being hit by traffic.” If able to do so safely, check if the roo is alive; if it is dead, then check its pouch. Call the relevant wildlife rescue service or police.
If you come across a kangaroo, brake to avoid a collision – don't swerve. If you're in an accident prioritise safety, call 000 if needed, then contact your insurer. If you hit a kangaroo, contact a wildlife rescue organisation or the local police.
In fact, a red kangaroo can deliver an incredible 759 pounds of force with a single kick! As well as being able to inflict serious damage with their kicks, buff kangaroos have been known to crush metal with their bare hands, which is seriously impressive. They also have a punch force of about 275 pounds.
In a battle royale for Most Powerful Animal, a red kangaroo might take the martial-arts belt, thanks to a bone-shattering kick that delivers 759 pounds of force. Evolution has nudged wild creatures to hone their blows, bites, and brute strength for survival.
Report injured wildlife – call WIRES on 1300 094 737 or use the IFAW Wildlife rescue app to find a suitable wildlife rescue organisation for your location.
In case a kangaroo inevitably jumps in front of your vehicle, it is best to just brake heavily instead of trying to swerve to avoid them. The best advice is to just slow down and try braking in a straight line. You should only try swerving once your vehicle has slowed down sufficiently.
Big claws on the feet, and huge muscles in the legs ensure that the kick is painful and damaging. Male kangaroos have thickened skin around their bellies to protect themselves from this, and they can take hundreds of kicks in the course of a fight. A few kicks like this would be sufficient to disembowel a human.
Harming (killing, injuring or capturing) kangaroos in New South Wales without a licence is illegal.
Significant penalties apply for illegally shooting a kangaroo, attracting fines of up to $2,500 or imprisonment of six months, plus an additional fine of $50 per animal.
They can cause serious injury. Their sharp claws can make deep cuts, and their powerful kicks can cause severe bruising and internal injuries.
The kangaroos punch and grab each other and use their powerful legs to kick their opponents. These kicks can lead to broken bones and other injuries.
In fact, kangaroos are stronger than humans in every aspect except their arms. In the 9 News video below you will see how one man (a boxer) learned this the hard way, when he got into an intense fight with an eastern grey kangaroo in Ballina, New South Wales.
An uppercut will be the most powerful when the opponent's head is dropping, while a counter overhand will be the most powerful option if the opponent is caught while stepping in with a jab or a hook.
The gorilla has the weight and power to overwhelm the lighter creature completely. It would use all its weight and power to topple the kangaroo in a bout of extreme violence.
a. The phrase 'tough guys' means that the kangaroos are very strong animals.
Ian Temby, who spent 33 years with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, said kangaroo attacks are rare, but could be fatal in some circumstances. "If you're standing up, the kangaroo can kick you with its hind feet and that can pretty much rip you open," he said. "That's extremely dangerous."
Kangaroo attacks in Australia are rare because kangaroos are usually docile; however, they can attack when provoked or cornered, and they have been known to kill dogs. Very occasionally they can attack even if not provoked.
If you head into an area where kangaroos are known to live, you'll likely see a sign with a recommended speed limit as well. But since kangaroos can hit a top speed of up to 70 km/h, you should safely slow down if you come across one unexpectedly.