Residents of a Southeast Queensland community heartbroken following roo’s death

Bribie Island residents are outraged and heartbroken after a police officer euthanised a well-known large male kangaroo known as King George.

Bribie Island residents are outraged and heartbroken after a police officer euthanised a well-known kangaroo by gunshot.

The large male roo, affectionately dubbed King George by locals, had been a regular visitor to the area surrounding the Bribie Island Butterfly House on First Ave in Bongaree, for about four years.

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A Queensland Police spokesman told the Courier Mail the kangaroo had been hit by a car.

Bribie Island residents took to social media this week to express their disbelief and anger at the Monday death of the kangaroo, with many questioning why police would shoot the roo instead of seeking veterinary assistance.

Several also queried the belief the roo was sick or injured, as many said they had spotted the “muscly” roo in the hours previous to the shooting.

Bribie Island residents were not happy to hear about the death of a well-known local kangaroo. Picture: Facebook

“My neighbour volunteers at the butterfly house on Bribie, there is a kangaroo that hangs out there,” one resident wrote in a Bribie Island Facebook group.

“Some f — kwit that is meant to be a wildlife carer contacted animal welfare services saying the kangaroo was very ill (I’ve just seen recent videos of him and he was perfectly healthy in them) (sic).

“Yesterday the local police found him around the butterfly house and shot him … My neighbour and the people who work at the butterfly house are distraught and disgusted by this police action and so should everyone else be. There was no vet or animal welfare assessment done …”

The police spokesman told the Courier Mail police were called by Wildlife Rescue Queensland about 12.45pm Monday in relation to a “severely injured” kangaroo that was in distress.

“On arrival police located a large kangaroo with obvious serious injuries and was unable to move, after it was hit by a vehicle,” he said.

“The decision was made care could not be provided in a timely manner and would be ineffective. The animal was then euthanised.

“Whenever possible officers will seek veterinary and wildlife officer assistance for injured animals.”

King George the kangaroo was allegedly shot by a police officer after they said he was hit by a car. Picture: Supplied

A volunteer from the Butterfly House, who did not want to be named, said the kangaroo was a beloved and welcome resident of the area.

“He usually comes in the morning and lays there every morning,” she said.

“He never comes over when we’ve got visitors here on a Wednesday or Sunday, he knows to stay away.

“He has never been a problem. He minds his own business and comes and goes as he pleases.

“I took a photo of him that morning and there was nothing wrong with him,” she said.

The volunteer said she, and others, were furious.

“They could have called Australia Zoo or some sort of a wildlife association to come and assess him to see if he was hurt,” she said.

“They should not have just shot him.”