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.
Accidentally hitting an animal is not against the law, nor is it deemed to be your fault.
Who to call if you hit a kangaroo? To find your nearest wildlife rescue organisation, take a look at the following list: New South Wales: WIRES – 1300 094 737. Victoria: Wildlife Victoria – (03) 8400 7300.
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.
Brake Heavily, Don't Swerve
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.
If the kangaroo is still alive, don't attempt to move it. Instead, call the injured wildlife hotline at 1300 596 457 or the nearest wildlife organisation you are aware of.
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.
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.
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.
Move away as slowly as possible to a safe place. Give a short, deep cough; avoid eye contact; bow your head; and keep your arms close to your body as you move away. This will make you appear smaller and less of a threat to the kangaroo. Do not turn your back on the animal or run.
It can however be considered an offence to leave the accident scene without checking on the condition of an injured animal. Drivers aren't expected to give first aid, but they should call the relevant local wildlife rescue organisation and seek their advice on how to safely help or ease the pain of an injured animal.
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.
Kangaroos are getting into the most trouble on the roads, with 7,992 kangaroo collision AAMI claims in the recorded year between March 2018 and February 2019. Roos made up a whopping 83% of all animal collisions.
Section 530 of the Crimes Act prescribes a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison for “serious animal cruelty”, which includes torturing, beating or killing an animal.
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.
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.
In fact, kangaroos are stronger than humans in every aspect except their arms.
I hit a parked car – what do I do? Firstly, check if anybody was in the car at the time of the collision and ensure there are no injuries. For anything serious, call 000 immediately. Then, take a deep breath and try your best to remain calm.
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In NSW, failing to stop at the scene of an accident and give personal details to another driver involved in the crash, any person injured, or the owner of damaged property as a result of the accident is an offence.
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.
Don't ignore dead mammals
If possible, move dead animals away from roads as their predators could be in danger of becoming roadkill. If you find dead animals in a NSW national park or reserve, call the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) on 1300 072 757.
Kangaroos avoid attacks by maintaining vigilance, giving warning foot-thumps and fleeing to safety. Large male kangaroos are less likely to flee and may use their size and weapons to defend themselves against any dog that comes too close.