By ALECIA PINNER & DAVID SCHOUT
ENDEAVOUR Hills police were bombarded with calls from as far away
as the Northern Territory as angry people demanded they find who was
responsible for shooting a mother kangaroo with arrows.
A horse rider reported seeing the eastern grey kangaroo moving
with arrows in its spine and leg in a reserve on the morning of Sunday,
July 28.
Wildlife Victoria volunteers were unable to find her until the next day, in Dandenong Police Paddocks Reserve, near Brady Road.
That afternoon the kangaroo, which was believed to have
instinctively thrown her joey from her pouch after being shot, underwent
surgery to remove two arrows.
Wildlife Victoria spokeswoman Amy Amato said it was unlikely the joey, which has not been found, would have survived.
Following outrage from the community and reports police were
closing in on the person responsible, a Dandenong man, 21, turned
himself in to Endeavour Hills police station on Tuesday. He will be
charged on summons.
Sergeant John Blackburn said the shooting was particularly
concerning because of the popularity of the reserve with parents with
young children, runners and other recreational users.
He said solving the crime had been a team effort between police, Parks Victoria, wildlife groups and the public.
“We are pleased with the public assistance we received in helping
us resolve this,” he said. “People came forward with a good supply of
information. It was excellent. This is a great resolution for everyone.”
The kangaroo, affectionately dubbed Hilary by her carers, is still
being treated and will be released back into the wild in Endeavour
Hills when she is considered strong enough.
