Man, 77, killed by wild pet kangaroo in rural Western Australia

An animal expert says it’s “not surprising” that a man was killed after he was attacked by his wild pet kangaroo.

An animal expert says it is “not surprising” that a kangaroo managed to kill a man in West Australia’s south over the weekend in the country’s first fatal kangaroo attack in more than 85 years.

An elderly man died on Sunday after he was attacked by the wild animal, which he reportedly kept as a pet.

It is believed the 77-year-old was attacked by the angry marsupial at his Redmond property, near Albany.

The man was found by a family member with serious injuries about 5pm.

Emergency services were called to the scene, but the kangaroo prevented paramedics from accessing the property, as it became violent.

The man lived at a rural property near Albany. Picture: Adam Head

Police were called and decided to kill the kangaroo, as it was posing a threat to emergency responders.

The man died at the scene from his injuries.

Australian Reptile Park life science manager Hayley Shute said it was important to show respect around wild animals and remember how dangerous male kangaroos could be.

“The public sort of see kangaroos and koalas as fluffy, cuddly animals. I think it's just important to note that they are wild animals and there’s a level of respect you have to give them,” she told NCA NewsWire.

“The icon, that picture of an Australian kangaroo, is usually a female kangaroo with a joey sticking his head out of the pouch and they look so cute and sweet.

“But male kangaroos, part of their life and hierarchy within the mob is to take on the male that's bigger than it. There’s a struggle there to become the alpha male and that’s part of a male kangaroo’s life and behaviour.

“At any point, these males are going to take on a threat to it and it’s a behavioural instinct for them.”

Male kangaroos are strong and can be aggressive. Picture: Lea Scaddan / Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2021

Ms Shute said she was not surprised that a male kangaroo could kill a man given their nature, size and strength.

“I don't have the details of this specific case so I wouldn’t like to speculate, but it’s definitely not surprising that a male kangaroo could cause injuries such as this because they are so strong,” she said.

“I’ve seen it … male kangaroos taking each other on and fighting. Their nickname is the boxing kangaroo and that’s because they do kick. Their claws are really big, and they’re muscly.

“Their bodies are built for this … they’re built for boxing and they’re built for battle in some cases.”

Western Australia’s Albany region is home to western grey kangaroos. Males can weigh 70kg and be 223cm tall from head to tail.

The 77-year-old man’s death was Australia’s first reported fatal kangaroo attack since 1936.

William Cruickshank, 38, died in Hillston Hospital, NSW after his jaw was broken and he suffered extensive head injuries while trying to rescue his two dogs.