Kangaroo drive-by shooting claims as Victorian farmers, wildlife advocates battle over control methods

KANGAROOS are being targeted in bizarre drive-by shootings, a wildlife advocate says, with farmers and environmentalists at odds over how to control the iconic animals.

Wild about Wildlife operator Lisa Milligan with a rescued kangaroo. Picture: Rob Leeson

KANGAROOS are in the cross hairs with farmers and environmentalists at odds over how to control the iconic animals.

Battle lines have been drawn in country Victoria and Melbourne’s urban fringe as property owners target the marsupial mobs they claim are destroying their crops.

But wildlife advocates have accused shooters of being “trigger happy’’ hunting down the animals in thrill kills.

Wild about Wildlife operator Lisa Milligan said kangaroos were even being targeted in bizarre drive-by shootings.

“People are driving past in cars and aiming for kangaroos on other people’s properties,’’ she said. “It’s out of control.”

She said kangaroos gathered together in troops to stay safe.

“They’re not stupid,’’ Ms Milligan said. “If they are grouped on one property it is because they have been shot at on another.’’

She said privately run wildlife protection services were increasing called out to help kangaroos with ugly wounds after they were shot but not killed.

She said others frequently got tangled in barbed wire fences and joeys were stomped on after their mothers were killed.

But crop farmer Paul Bakam said kangaroo numbers were out of control. “We have never had it so bad,’’ Mr Bakam said. “They just multiply so quickly.’’

Paul Bakam with his crop eaten by kangaroos. Picture: Rob Leeson

He said there were up to 200 kangaroos around his property at Maldon at any one time.

“We have taken advantage of the recent rain and planted crop only for the kangaroos to eat or damage it all.’’

The farmer said he employed professional shooters to cull 30 kangaroos every six months, under permit.

Macedon Wildlife Network spokesman Marcus Ward said in a recent case near Lancefield, 23 kangaroos were killed with cruel body shots.

“A cull sounds clinical and effective, but it’s nothing like that ... it is horrific, incredibly brutal,’’ Mr Ward said.

He urged the department to consider sending out officers to supervise farmers who have been granted permits.

The Department of Environment Land Water and Planning said lethal control of kangaroos was only necessary when nonlethal techniques including fertility control, fencing or scaring.

Under state law, land owners seeking a shooting permit must prove the are causing property damage. Since 2014, the meat from culled kangaroos is processed for pet food.

“DELWP takes the welfare of kangaroos very seriously and strict conditions are placed on the authorisation to ensure kangaroos are controlled in a humane manner,’’ a spokesman Nick Talbot said.

“The destruction of wildlife without an appropriate authorisation and the breaching of the conditions of an authorisation are serious offences and can result in legal action or fines.’’