At least ten wallabies and kangaroos killed at Worongary, Gold Coast after alleged massacre

Police have revealed how close they are to catching the perpetrators of a ‘sick’ kangaroo massacre in the Gold Coast hinterland, after PolAir was deployed. Find out the latest. WARNING: GRAPHIC

POLICE say they are “closing the net” on the alleged offenders responsible for mowing down and killing at least 10 wallabies and kangaroos – including an infant joey – at a semi-rural Gold Coast suburb on Sunday.

On Sunday, Worongary residents described the carnage as a “sick and barbaric attack” on local wildlife.

Queensland Police Service Superintendent Geoff Sheldon told ABC radio on Monday morning the act of running down the kangaroos and wallabies was “disgraceful conduct killing innocent animals”.

He says residents had reported two vehicles which they believe may have been responsible.

On Sunday night, PolAir units were searching for the vehicles reported, but could not locate them.

“But later last night one of the vehicles was found at a service station on the highway and we’re able to backtrack through the CCTV footage, so the net is rapidly closing,” Supt Sheldon said.

“I’m hoping we’ll have some today and rounding up those people for pretty serious animal cruelty.”

Visibly distraught residents were huddling at the Harry Mills Drive scene, saying several tyre marks on the nature strip pointed to a number of vehicles “intentionally” leaving the road to “collect the wallabies”.

A baby joey has died along with its mother. Picture: Richard Gosling

A horrific scene witnessed by the Bulletin includes two dead wallabies with legs bent back 90 degrees and contorted violently from extreme impact.

Further up the road, a dead mother wallaby lies dead in the gutter, her infant joey just centimetres from her cold and lifeless body. A spray of blood paints the road beside them.

It is unclear if related to the alleged deliberate carnage but a used vape and a crushed bourbon can sits in the dirt nearby.

Blood was all over the road at the tragic scene. Picture: Richard Gosling

Carla Orbell, who has lived in the area for two decades, said she had “never seen anything like it” and called it a “sickening and barbaric act”.

“I saw one up the road and thought it had just been hit by accident, but as I kept driving I saw at least ten dead by the side of the road. Then I noticed the tyre marks everywhere on the nature strip,” she said.

At least 10 dead wallabies have been found. Picture: Richard Gosling.

Ms Orbell said she immediately contacted Wildcare and Queensland Police Service, who handed the investigation over to the RSPCA.

A Wildcare spokesperson confirmed it was in the hands of the RSPCA.

A Wildcare team member attended the scene to ensure none of the wallabies were still alive, and carried out a portion of the investigation.

She said a number of residents had sparked concern on a private WhatsApp community group regarding “a number of cars” hooning through the suburb overnight, including a white FWD with hunting spotlights.

Residents allege the attack was intentional, given the amount of tyre marks on the nature strip in the path of dead wallabies. Picture: Richard Gosling

“They were out hunting. There’s no doubt in my mind,” Ms Orbell said.

Another local, who did not want to be named, said she “couldn’t understand” why it happened.

Picture: Richard Gosling

“It’s a sick massacre. It makes me sick and I hope whoever is responsible will face serious consequences,” she said.

“A larger male has also been hit and killed and that would take some speed.

“It’s devastating and we’ve never seen anything like this in Worongary. Wildlife is already facing enough pressure from new development in the area.”

Picture: Richard Gosling

A local rural firefighter said the harrowing scene was “extremely upsetting”, and said his three-year-old daughter “knows all the wallabies and has named them”.

“I just hope she hasn’t already seen what’s happened,” he said.