Claims of brumbies, kangaroo shot and wounded with bow and arrow

A state government official has called for public help in investigating reports of brumbies and kangaroos being shot with bow and arrow near Wondai, and warned the perpetrators they could face jail or be fined more than $160,000.

There are several mob of brumbies known to reside in the Wondai area. Photo: Craig Warhurst/The Gympie Times

Brumbies and a kangaroo have reportedly been shot and injured with a bow and arrow in the Wondai area, triggering an angry reaction from the community.

Multiple reports of the alleged targeting of the animals have been made on the Wondai Community Facebook page in the past month, including claims brumbies and a kangaroo have been seen with arrows still lodged in them.

The social media posts garnered hundreds of reactions and comments, with commenters expressing their fury, heartbreak and disgust.

A local horse trainer said he saw a young male bay brumby on Sunday, January 19 with an arrow sticking out of its chest or shoulder, with green and orange flights on it.

He said he panicked when he saw the animal, and tried to herd it back to “civilisation” to get it help but there “wasn’t a hope”.

“I’ve been watching them brumbies on and off for the better part of 15 years, and I’ve never seen anything like that,” he said.

“That’s horrendous.

“That is down right cruelty.”

The man said he was planning on returning to the area with a local tracker, in the hopes of finding the animal.

A foal was also reportedly shot in the same area.

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A large kangaroo with an arrow sticking out of its side spotted in Wondai on December 17, 2024.

Late last year, a large male kangaroo was reportedly seen near the rifle range in Wondai with an arrow sticking out of its upper arm or shoulder area, also with green and orange flights on it.

A Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation Department spokesman said they were looking into the reports posted on social media, and urged anyone with information or who witnessed the alleged incidents to contact the department.

“Kangaroos and other native animals are protected and should be left alone if seen in the wild,” the spokesman said.

“To kill these native animals without proper approval is illegal and persons found guilty of committing such an offence would be liable for fines of up to $161,300 or one-year imprisonment.”

Wondai resident Shantelle Sparkes spotted the wounded kangaroo on December 17, 2024.

Ms Sparkes reported it to a wildlife carer and posted about the incident on the Wondai Community Facebook group, hoping this could lead to the animal being rescued.

She said she was concerned to see the “massive” kangaroo with an arrow sticking out of him.

“I was absolutely shocked to see that someone shot him with an arrow and just left him like that,” she said.

“(It’s just) cruel to leave an animal like that.

“The roo was calm, it just stood there.

“My partner was quite enraged.

“He got out of the car to have a look but we knew we couldn’t do anything.
“That’s when I made the post, to see what I could do as I have never in my life seen something like that.”

Police on Monday said they had not received any reports directly related to the shooting of animals with bow and arrow, but they are aware of the social media posts.

They conducted patrols over the weekend to make further inquiries, and more will be carried out in the future.

Police have urged anyone with information on this matter to contact them directly.

Originally published as Claims of brumbies, kangaroo shot and wounded with bow and arrow