Punching a kangaroo in the face is neither brave nor funny. It's illegal, as is harassing native wildlife with dogs.
Which begs the question: is it legal to punch a kangaroo, even if it's in self-defence? Read on to find out. Kangaroos are a protected species in Australia but shooters can obtain licences to kill them (with restrictions) in areas where they are considered pests.
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.
More animal antics
There's definitely no hint there that punching a kangaroo in the face is a good idea; in fact, kangaroos are a protected species and injuring them is illegal.
If the kangaroo is still alive: approach with caution; do not attempt to move it. Call WIRES at 1300 094 737. If you are in a rural area without mobile phone reception, go to the police station or local veterinarian when you get to the nearest town and notify them.
If you have hit a kangaroo or any other animal, the first thing to do is pull over if it is safe to stop on the road. Once you have pulled over and ensured the safety of everybody in the car (call 000 for medical help), the next step is to check on the animal to confirm whether it's alive or needs any assistance.
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.
Drop your speed and stay alert if you're driving in unfamiliar territory or areas that are likely home to kangaroos – particularly at dawn and dusk. It could save a collision or even your life. “If you come across a kangaroo, brake in a controlled manner to avoid a collision if possible.
Avoid coming into into contact with the kangaroo at all costs. The fact that it is still a wild animal, despite its frightening appearance, means that any attempt to combat it could end in significant injury.
A kangaroo would win a fight against a human being.
In the wild, a kangaroo will try to grasp their prey and then tear into it with the claws on its feet. This will inflict devastating wounds on a human being or even disembowel them. Without weapons and armor, humans are fragile to these wild animals.
If you do have an accident with a kangaroo please pull over safely. When you have checked everyone in the car is safe, put your hazard lights on, and give us a call.
If a kangaroo jumps out or is on the road the first step is to wash off as much speed as possible by braking in as straight a line as possible. If it's safe to do so try to gently steer or swerve, but only once you've slowed down; you're better off hitting a kangaroo than ending up off the road having a bigger crash.
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.
The average damage costs to a vehicle amount to $4,000, with 15% of vehicles involved in kangaroo collisions completely written off.
Kangaroos travel in large groups. Fast vehicles with headlights on will startle them, causing them to frantically hop in random directions. Kangaroos are most active at dusk and dawn, when they're hardest to see. It doesn't help that their fur colour camouflages them.
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.
Canobolas Family Pet Hospital | Orange NSW
A kangaroo's survival very much depends on the ability to flee potential threats. With the addition of the pain of a broken leg the strees from being handled and kept in a cage is enough to kill a Kangaroo.
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. It is better to hit a kangaroo than end up in an accident because you decided to swerve, which could potentially cause harm to your passengers.
Plants with oily or fragrant foliage. Plants with high oil content (including some which have fragrant foliage) include species of Eremophila, Prostanthera, Westringia, Eriostemon, and Myoporum appear almost totally unpalatable to 'roos. Little wonder some of these have become the 'woody weeds' of our rangelands.
They can cause serious injury. Their sharp claws can make deep cuts, and their powerful kicks can cause severe bruising and internal injuries. But don't get me wrong, kangaroos are essentially peace-loving herbivores.
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. This has resulted in the largest slaughter of land-based wildlife on the planet.
Yes, car insurance covers hitting an animal, but only if you have a comprehensive policy. Car insurance can cover hitting a kangaroo or other animal in Australia. It's considered an at-fault accident so you might lose your no claims bonus and you will probably have to pay an excess too.