Kangaroos run over by vehicle in Tura Beach

Monday, September 30, 2019

A number of adult and juvenile kangaroos have been run over in what police are considering a deliberate act of cruelty in Tura Beach, near Merimbula on the NSW South Coast. WIRES Far South East member Janine Green was alerted to the incident when police knocked on her door at 1:30am on Sunday night, holding a surviving joey.

As of Monday afternoon, Ms Green has three young joeys in care. Police and the National Parks and Wildlife Service are now investigating the case, with police appealing for witnesses with information about the event to come forward.

According to the Police statement, up to 20 kangaroos may have been run over by a vehicle between 10.30pm and 11.30pm on Saturday (28 September 2019). If anyone has any information that could assist the investigation please contact Bega Detectives on (02) 6492 9929 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

“WIRES is horrified to hear about the incident that took place in Tura Beach early on Sunday morning,” said a spokesperson for WIRES on Monday.

“Wildlife rescue and rehabilitation can be extremely challenging for all involved, especially when animals have been injured in an apparent act of cruelty.”

“WIRES would like to thank local police and all concerned members of the community.”

WIRES also urges the public to remember that if they find an injured, orphaned or displaced native animal to call WIRES on 1300 094 737.

To report acts of animal cruelty, contact the RSPCA NSW on 1300 CRUELTY.

For more information or to donate please visit wires.org.au. To contact WIRES media team email [email protected] or call 8977 3327.

If news of this incident has distressed you, WIRES encourages you to access free support from either Lifeline (24/7)13 11 14 lifeline.org.au or Beyond Blue (24/7)1300 224 636 beyondblue.org.au.

Update: this release was updated 1st October with Police contact details.

ABOUT WIRES

WIRES is Australia’s largest wildlife rescue organisation. WIRES has been rescuing and caring for sick, injured and orphaned native animals for over 35 years with a mission to actively rehabilitate and preserve Australian wildlife and inspire others to do the same. WIRES’ Wildlife Rescue Office answers calls from the community 24/7, 365 days a year, providing rescue advice and assistance for over 130,000 animals annually. Connecting wildlife to real-time assistance, WIRES full-time mobile Wildlife Ambulances operate across New South Wales, South-East Queensland and Tasmania, and WIRES had over 3,500 volunteers assisting with wildlife rescue and care in NSW. WIRES is supporting thousands of wildlife carers across Australia through a diverse range of national programs. WIRES also collaborates nationally with strategic partners to support the long-term recovery of wildlife habitat and the long-term preservation of native species in the wild.

For more information on WIRES wildlife programs visit www.wires.org.au.

MEDIA CONTACTS

WIRES Media Officer: John Grant | 0416 272 153 | [email protected]

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