Life-size statue of Roger to revitalise mall

A LIFE size statue of one of the most famous animals on the planet has been suggested as a way of rejuvenating the ailing Todd Mall in Alice Springs

A LIFE size statue of one of the most famous animals on the planet has been suggested as a way of rejuvenating the ailing Todd Mall in Alice Springs.

Roger, a 2.13m tall alpha male red kangaroo, attracted worldwide attention after shooting to fame through the BBC series Kangaroo Dundee.

One of the most famous images of Roger the big red alpha male kangaroo in Alice Springs.

Now Chris ‘Brolga’ Barns, who raised Roger after rescuing him from the pouch of his dead mother on the side of the road, is calling for the ageing animal to be immortalised.

“Roger has recently been recognised as one of the 10 most famous animals in the world,” Brolga said.

“Photos and videos of Roger go viral all the time because he’s world-renowned as being really muscular, with a great physique.”

One recent Instagram post of the big red roo attracted 10 million views.

“Roger’s the star of Kangaroo Dundee and I think it would be great to recognise him by putting a statue of him in the Todd Mall,” Brolga said.

Roger is now enjoying his “retirement” at the Kangaroo Sanctuary Alice Springs.

At 12-years-old, he has just a couple more years to live, and he has chilled out sufficiently that he can now mix with the other kangaroos at the Sanctuary.

Todd Mall, the focal point of the Alice CBD, has been the subject of much discussion, since the NT Government announced $20m to rejuvenate it, and a further $1.5m to put a collection of fossils on display.