A LOCAL doctor and former zoologist has denounced the “barbaric” killing of two kangaroos near his home on the outskirts of Mount Gambier at the weekend.
Dr Mike Bruorton was appalled to see two of the animals “deliberately run down” while out for a bike ride on Sunday.
This follows a recent push to cull the native animal with anecdotal evidence suggesting kangaroo numbers had surged in the Grant District Council area.
“My wife and I were out cycling on Sunday morning when we spotted the two kangaroos about 15m apart,” Dr Bruorton said.
“It was obvious they had been chased and killed as the vehicle tracks were winding through the grass.
“I think it is pretty barbaric and it’s worrying given there is heaps of evidence suggesting people who are willing to deliberately harm or kill animals are more likely to harm other humans.”
Amid calls for a “sustainable harvest” to drive down kangaroo numbers, Dr Bruorton said he hoped the brutal scene he stumbled upon would not become a regular occurrence.
“I’m aware there has been a call to cull the roos and while I do not oppose a humane culling if it is backed by solid research, this was inhumane,” he said.
“These animals were maimed and had died in fear – it was a nasty case of animal cruelty.
“I don’t believe anyone in a civilised society would support that behaviour – that’s not the way to go about it.”
