Stranded Mernda roos need to be relocated before they die

THERE are fears for a mob of roos stranded in a Mernda paddock that are running low on food and water and need to be moved immediately.

A mob of up to 60 kangaroos are trapped in a paddock near the Mernda Rail works. Picture: Ellen Smith

A MOB of stranded Mernda kangaroos has been “abandoned” and “left to die” according to the Australian Society for Kangaroos.

An estimated 40-60 roos have been inadvertently blocked from accessing Plenty Gorge due to construction of the new Mernda rail.

The Society said the roos, which are stuck on Woolworths owned land near the corner of Plenty Rd and Bridge Inn Rd, are blocked from accessing water and have minimal food.

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President Nikki Sutterby said it was a “horrific” situation which was “very concerning” and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning should relocate the roos “immediately”.

“This mob should’ve been moved a while ago but I suspect DELWP would rather see them die of starvation or get hit by cars,” Ms Sutterby said.

“They’re doing it deliberately because you can’t shoot them where they are at the moment”.

Ms Sutterby believes DELWP are reluctant to shift the roos because it doesn’t want to set a “costly precedent”.

“Once they relocate one mob, the public will expect every roo to be relocated which DELWP probably thinks is too costly,” Ms Sutterby said.

“Letting the roos die is quick, easy and cheap.”

Volunteer wildlife carer, Krysti Severi, is concerned about the welfare of the trapped kangaroos. Picture: Ellen Smith

DELWP Environmental Compliance Regional Manager Suriya Vij said she was not aware of the trapped roos until contacted by Leader News.

“We have discussed the welfare of the kangaroos [with the LXRA], which appear to be in good health and have access to food and water,” she said.

“To help these kangaroos get back to Plenty Gorge the construction gates were left open over Easter to allow safe passage home. “

A volunteer wildlife group, which did not wish to be named, are currently assisting the Mernda mob.

The Australian Society for Kangaroos say the trapped roos have been left to die. Picture: Ellen Smith

They say DELWP’s plan to leave the gate open had a “near impossible” chance of success.

“The roos are already scared off from that area due to the construction so we doubt they will go through,” group spokeswoman Krysti Severi said.

The group said they were frustrated by DELWP guidelines which disallows the relocation of kangaroos.

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