Department of Environment takes action in wake of Maaroom kangaroo attack

Residents in a small seaside community, where problems with the local wildlife peaked with an attack earlier this year, are going to interesting lengths to prevent a repeat. Think – marsupial mugshots …

A kangaroo on the move, hopping down Alfred Street Maaroom. Photo: Stuart Fast

Residents in the small seaside village of Maaroom, where problems with local kangaroos peaked with a violent trampling earlier this year, remain on high alert.

Since the July 23 attack, which left two people injured (both suffered cuts to their arms and one was taken to hospital with suspected spinal injuries) at a park, the Department of Environment has been working with the community to ensure people and the local wildlife stay safe.

DES staff met with the Maaroom community on August 16 in response to a series of incidents.

A spokesman for DES said the department had responded to community concerns and provide advice about conflicts between people and kangaroos.

“Thankfully there has been no further incidents reported,” he said

“Wildlife officers from the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service investigated each incident.

“There is a large population of kangaroos in the Maaroom area, and during the investigations, wildlife officers closely observed the behaviour of the population of kangaroos, which were seen in people’s yards.”

“At the meeting, wildlife officers provided information about kangaroo behaviour and advice to the community. DES will continue to work with the community and the local council.”

Maaroom resident Sue Smith said the local community was working with DES to identify problematic Kangaroos in the area.

She said residents could send photos of problematic roos to the department and she had helped elderly residents with technical support.

DES has information on kangaroos and how people can coexist with them here.