By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
A Dandenong man handed himself into police on Tuesday following the horrific arrow-shooting of an Endeavour Hills kangaroo.
A 21-year-old was interviewed and then released pending further inquiries in relation to the female eastern grey kangaroo, which was rushed to an emergency wildlife vet after being shot with two arrows in its back and side.
A Wildlife Victoria team searched for Hilary the kangaroo for over 24 hours before finding and tranquilising the animal at 2pm on Monday.
Fears for the kangaroo’s well-being and potential spinal damage were rife after one arrow was lodged 14 centimetres deep into its back, but Wildlife Victoria spokeswoman Amy Amato said the kangaroo was in a stable condition and was hopeful she would make a full recovery.
“Hilary’s doing really well,” she said.
“If she continues to do well we’ll be able to release her by the end of this week or early next week.”
Despite the kangaroo’s improving condition, Wildlife Victoria has grave concerns for her joey after Hilary was discovered with an active pouch. Ms Amato said when kangaroos were stressed they often threw joeys from their pouch.
“Unfortunately we have not been able to locate the joey. It is estimated to be very small and would be extremely hard to find,” she said.
“It’s very sad indeed.”
This latest attack comes after the death of a male kangaroo shot in the neck by an arrow in Narre Warren in November.
Kangaroos are protected under the Wildlife Act and anyone with information can contact Wildlife Victoria on 1300 094 535.
