Police are forced to kill kangaroos

POLICE say they have had to kill several kangaroos which have been badly injured after being in collisions with cars on Churchill Park Drive in Endeavour Hills.
Sergeant John Blackburn of Endeavour Hills police said officers had shot 10 kangaroos in the past six months, the most recent being last Thursday morning.
Sgt Blackburn said an officer from the station would now undergo special training to learn how to humanely kill kangaroos and they would also receive new equipment to carry out the task.
He said police officers had noticed an increase in the kangaroo population in the Endeavour Hills area and also warned people driving along the stretch of road to be on the lookout for the two-legged marsupials.
“They are coming out of the National Park and are hitting cars and are left lying on the side of the road.
“Drivers need to be more aware of the kangaroos in the early morning and at dusk just after dark.
“They (kangaroos) are just everywhere.
“Americans make jokes that Australia has kangaroos jumping around in the suburban streets and around Churchill Park they do.
“Tourists will come out here for the mountain bike riding at Lysterfield Park and will be able to see a lot of kangaroos,” he said.
Manager of Churchill Park Golf Club Russell Donovan said he saw a lot of kangaroos roaming in the area but they were not causing the golf course any problems.
“We certainly do see a lot of kangaroos, particularly late at night.
“We have had no complaints from our members though and in fact they are popular and people like to see them.
“They mainly keep to themselves and just hop away but I have seen quite a few hit by cars.
“They are not a nuisance,” he said.