The very sad case of the castrated kangaroo!

Last week, in April 2011, the following story appeared in the Victorian Police News.

"Police are investigating the cruel treatment of a kangaroo in Yarrambat, Victoria. It's believed that the kangaroo was initially injured but not killed by a vehicle somewhere in the vicinity of Red Box Court. Whilst laying on the ground injured it is then believed an unknown person or persons has attacked the animal, castrating it and removing the area below the tail called the mound. This mutilation took place some time between 6.30pm on Saturday and 8am on Sunday. The missing body parts have not been recovered after a search of the area and may have been taken by the offender/s.

The kangaroo was alive during the mutilation and was put down by a wildlife officer at around 4pm on Sunday. Police are appealing for anyone who may have information about the incident to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit: www.crimestoppers.com.au It is the second case of extreme animal cruelty to be investigated by Victorian police within a week, following the stoning death of a nesting female black swan at Queens Park, Moonee Ponds. Victoria Police News"

The story was widely reported in various media outlets.

The next day another story appeared in the Age newspaper, claiming that a vet had done an autopsy on the kangaroo and concluded that the injuries were caused by being dragged by the vehicle that hit it. Some investigation was undertaken and it was discovered that the "vet" who did the autopsy is employed by Healseville Zoo, which is partly funded by the Victorian Dept of Environment, and local wildlife carers believe that the "autopsy" report was a coverup designed to destroy any sympathy for the kangaroo. DSE has been under heavy public criticism recently for writng out Permits to anyone to shoot kangaroos on their property. Victoria has many "hunters", more than any other State, and many of whom work within DSE.

The wildlife carer who attended the kangaroo swears the animal was still alive when she found it.

Photos below this article show the scrotum has been cleany cut of with a sharp knife, and there are no dragmarks on the body. These are gruesome photos, so dont look if you dont like gruesome. Blood pooling on the ground from the castration also prove the kangaroo was alive when castrated. As a butcher and meatworker for many years, I catagorically state this kangaroo was definately alive when deliberately castrated.

So, apart from the hideous cruelty, there is some lunatic driving around with a razorsharp knife in his car.....and is prepared to use it!

This is not an isolated incident. We collect all reported and many unreported incidents of cruelty to wildlife across Australia, and have been doing so for 12 years or more, for our weekly eZine "Wildlife Bytes". In the last few years its been getting worse, and we have no idea why, or what the answer to it is. There have been some terrible incidents of gross cruelty ot wildlife in every Australian State and Territory.

Anyway, after receiving considerable public criticism from other vets and local wildlife carers, Healesville Sanctuary come out publicaly with this feeble excuse ....

"Healesville Sanctuary has hit back at doubts over the results of an autopsy it carried out on a dead kangaroo found in Yarrambat this month. The roo was found alive on April 10, with its scrotum missing. Sanctuary acting communications manager Brigid Ennis said a sanctuary vet, who reaffirmed the autopsy results, sought a second expert opinion from Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine pathologists. “The veterinarians did not think any part of the kangaroo was cut off by a knife, but most likely came off as a result of being dragged along the road,” Ms Ennis said. Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine associate professor David Ranson agreed with the autopsy results after seeing photos of the roo.

Wildlife Victoria volunteer Laurelle Erwin said rescuers still did not believe that the eastern grey kangaroo’s scrotum was torn off after being dragged by a car. Wendy Bergen, a vet at Townsville’s Aachilpa Veterinary Group Wildlife Hospital, said both scenarios were possible, but she could not be certain without seeing the kangaroo. She said it was likely the animal was hit by a car and she had seen similar circular wounds on other animals which have been hit, presumably associated with parts of appendages being caught in a vehicle’s bumper bar." * Leader.

Well, thats nonsense of course. The animal was castrated while still alive...no ifs, no buts, no mistake. Wellknown wildlife vet Howard Ralph also clearly states in a letter to Maryland Wilson of the AWPC that the castration was deliberate, and performed while the kangaroo was alive, with a sharp knife.

Lynda Staker writes: Posted on 2 May 11 at 08:26pm

How dare these vets and pathologist deny what is SO evident! Viewing the photos of the kangaroo, it is obvious that the animal had his testicles and penis removed from his body, while he was still alive. The kangaroo was unable to prevent the mutilation, due to disabling injuries after being hit by a vehicle. My conclusion derives from these obvious factors: 1. There are no drag marks of blood from any direction of the body and no indication that the animal had been moved from the position it was found in. 2. There are no broken bones/injuries to the legs, nor any abrasions that would be apparent if the animal had been dragged. 3. There is no fur or skin missing from inside the legs or stomach. 4. The blood situated under the cloaca region, indicates that the animal was still alive when the penis was removed from the body. 5. The teardrop shaped incision mark around the testes is precise, and reflects a clean cut with a very sharp instrument, such as a scalpel. This is a case of deliberate mutilation of a defenseless, live but incapacitated animal. A monstrous and despicable act of blatant cruelty, which could only be carried out by a very deranged type of human being.

Ted White writes: Posted on 29 Apr 11 at 09:01am

The DSE are supposed to be the "managers" of our wildlife. I think we can be quite sure that they are the government department behind the whole cover up in this case. They certainly don't seem to allocate any resources to the care of our native wildlife, only managing them out of existence. We are so fortunate to have such beautiful native animals in Australia. When other countries have dangerous native wildcats and bears wondering around their countryside, we have cuddly marsupials recognised and much loved worldwide. It is a shame that our own government bodies do not seem to have the same appreciation for what we have.

nimby writes: Posted on 27 Apr 11 at 09:19pm

The initial assessment of the wildlife carer is no doubt correct. Why so much trouble to deny the mutilation when kangaroo scrotums have been used as macabre souvenirs. It's all about down-playing any kangaroo issues. They are not meant to make any media reports.

VivKay writes: Posted on 27 Apr 11 at 06:35pm

“The veterinarians did not think any part of the kangaroo was cut off by a knife, but most likely came off as a result of being dragged along the road,” Surely a drag injury would have tell-tale drag marks, and not knife marks? When it comes to kangaroos, and whales, there is a lot of bizarre and weird science around. They are basically political "hot-potatoes" and nobody wants to dispute the other side for fear of "offending". Like at Belconnen and Majura in the ACT, the scientists paid to do "research" on kangaroo damage were not independent but paid for by the ACT government, so they were selected especially and were obliged to produce the results expected. We all know that Japan's "scientific research" on whales is a thin disguise, but what Australian politician has the courage to challenge their massive economic powers? Kangaroos are "protected" wildlife, but the DSE contradictorily freely give out ATCW permits on a whim! Public sympathy for kangaroos is prohibited, and any illegal killings and mutilations must be kept behind a political smoke-screen.

So, thats the story behind the very sad story of the castrated kangaroo.....but what's the story behind Healesville Sanctuary?