Three kangaroos discovered shot dead in Lovely Banks near Geelong

Wildlife rescuers are concerned a kangaroo killer could be on the loose after three roos were discovered shot dead. WARNING: GRAPHIC

Susan Emond with the kangaroo corpses in Lovely Banks. Picture: Alan Barber

A group of wildlife rescue volunteers is concerned there may be a rogue animal killer on the loose after discovering three dead kangaroos with gunshot wounds.

Volunteer Angela Sumner said one of her team members discovered the grim sight on Sunday on the side of Staceys Rd in Lovely Banks.

Ms Sumner described the gruesome finding as “absolutely horrible”.

Susan Emond. Picture: Alan Barber

She said the concerning find came after the volunteers discovered a number of animals that had been shot in Lara and Inverleigh.

Ms Sumner volunteers with Wildlife Victoria and also runs the Bannockburn Wildlife Rescue and regularly travels throughout Lovely Banks and Lethbridge to attend to injured wildlife.

“Normally we get one or two dead kangaroos here or there, but to have three in a row within 10 to 15m of each other is quite unusual,” Ms Sumner said.

Susan Emond. Picture: Alan Barber

“It’s illegal for anybody to shoot kangaroos unless they’ve got the permit to cull or they’re doing it for wildlife purposes to ease their suffering, in which case you would expect them to have broken legs.

“I don’t think it was done to ease suffering.

“I’m pretty certain that someone has just done it for fun.

“When you’ve got somebody taking a life just for fun without going through the proper channels … I don’t understand how anybody could shoot them.”

The dead kangaroos. Picture: Alan Barber

The discoveries come after a Lara horse had to be euthanised after she was shot in the leg with an arrow.

Owner Kate Adatins found her four-year-old horse Muffin, bloodied and injured, in her driveway after the terrifying late-night ordeal and put the horse down on October 15.

Ms Adatins believes her horse was shot intentionally.

A fox in Teesdale was shot with a bow and arrow in January 2024. Picture: Supplied

Ms Sumner said Bannockburn Wildlife Rescue had also discovered a number of animals that have been shot with bows and arrows in the Geelong region.

“We had a plover reported about two months ago in Teesdale and a fox was also shot in January this year in Teesdale,” she said.

“The arrow went through its hips so it couldn’t walk and was left for dead.”

All Victorian kangaroo species are protected under the Wildlife Act.

It is an offence to hunt, take or destroy protected wildlife unless in accordance with a licence or authorisation issued under the Wildlife Act.

The Conservation Regulator has not received any formal report about this alleged incident.

Offenders face maximum penalties of more than $9,870 and/or six months imprisonment. Further penalties under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 may also apply.

Victoria Police were contacted for comment.

Originally published as Three kangaroos discovered shot dead in Lovely Banks near Geelong