Videos emerge of horrific animal abuse on Aussie island

WARNING: Police are investigating after sickening videos of animals being abused emerged on social media.

WARNING: Graphic content

Disturbing videos of animal cruelty within a Queensland island community have emerged online and sparked a police investigation.

The clips, posted to an Instagram account last year, appear to show a group of youths terrorising animals on Palm Island and revelling in acts of graphic violence.

One of the videos show a young boy hitting a possum as it is held upside down by its tail like a punching bag before stomping on the defenceless animal.

Others appear to depict youths kicking a frog, jerking a bird’s limbs and pulling a joey from the pouch of its dead mother.

A possum was used as a punching bag in one clip.

A boy could be seen hitting the dangling animal.

In one harrowing clip, captioned “beach ball”, a distressed and bleeding possum is filmed being repeatedly kicked as it tries to flee a group chasing it along the beach.

Another shows the bodies of three dead possums being manipulated to simulate sex in a video captioned “possum porn”.

There was also a post from July 2024 which appears to show young children playing with a gun or replica firearm.

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People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) senior campaigns adviser Mimi Bekhechi said it was sending education kits to school administrators on the island after being made aware of the “disturbing case”.

“We urge everyone, regardless of age, to speak out against cruelty to animals,” she said.

“If you witness abuse, report it immediately to the police, RSPCA or PETA.”

Nicola Beynon, head of campaigns for Humane World for Animals Australia, said “torturing animals is never acceptable”.

“Doing it for likes and clicks is reprehensible. We implore everyone on social media to refrain from engaging with it.’

This possum was chased and kicked along a beach.

The animal tried to run away.

The clips came to light after being shared on a Reddit thread on Wednesday, in which the videos were described as depicting the “most abhorrent violence toward native animals”.

Queensland Police began an investigation this week after the videos were raised with officers, a spokesperson confirmed.

“Palm Island police are investigating after incidents involving animals posted to social media were reported to officers today, March 27,” they said.

“Anyone with information is urged to contact police.”

Animal cruelty offences carry fines and up to three years’ jail in Queensland.

The RSPCA was contacted for comment but declined while the police probe was ongoing.

Palm Island refers to both a locality of 12 islands off the coast of north Queensland, and the main “Great Palm Island” located about 65km north of Townsville.

Palm Island is located off the north coast of Queensland. Picture: Caitlan Charles

According to the Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council, it is the largest “discreet Indigenous community in Australia” and home to about 4000 people.

Since the videos gained wider attention, people have vented their fury at the depraved acts in comments on the Instagram page.

“Low f***. Scum,” one person wrote.

“What has gone wrong with human DNA and the ability to empathise? May the Karma these people deserve find them soon,” another said.

Others posted threats: “Give me your address or your local petrol station and let me box you like that you weak dog.”

The Palm Island Aboriginal Council and Queensland’s Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation were contacted for comment.

Originally published as Videos emerge of horrific animal abuse on Aussie island