October 23rd 2024.
A mother was shaken as she recounted the horrifying event of her 12-year-old son being viciously attacked by a large kangaroo on their property on the outskirts of Melbourne. Sarah Doherty was preparing her kids for school when Phoenix, her 12-year-old, went outside. It was not uncommon for there to be a group of kangaroos in their area, fittingly named Kangaroo Ground, located 26km north-east of Melbourne in Nillumbik. However, this time, one of the male kangaroos, standing at a towering height of 1.8m, turned on Phoenix.
Panicked and trying to flee, Phoenix was no match for the aggressive animal who clawed, scratched, and kicked him for what seemed like an eternity. His traumatized mother, who is also a teacher, described how he fell to the ground and the kangaroo pinned him down, relentlessly attacking him. Phoenix, in a state of panic, curled into a ball, screaming for help as the kangaroo continued its assault.
Fortunately, their neighbor heard the commotion and came to Phoenix's rescue, causing the kangaroo to hop away. The neighbor immediately called for an ambulance and took Phoenix home before he was rushed to the Austin Hospital in Melbourne. The attack left Phoenix with severe injuries on his head and leg, requiring surgery. The hospital staff were shocked by the extent of the injuries, as Phoenix had to undergo plastic surgery to repair a deep wound on his thigh that reached down to the muscle. He also had to have his head wound cleaned under general anesthesia and was left with bruises and scratches all over his body.
Doherty shared that Phoenix is doing okay, describing him as a "tough cookie." She expressed her disbelief at the rare occurrence of a child being attacked by a kangaroo, despite always reminding her kids to be cautious around them. Their neighbor had even yelled at the same kangaroo a few days prior, but it had not run away. Doherty believes that if it weren't for their neighbor's timely intervention, the outcome could have been much worse.
Phoenix received a tetanus shot and antibiotics, and will have to return to the hospital for further checks and to have his stitches removed. The incident may come as a surprise to some, as kangaroo attacks are rare and usually only occur due to changes in their natural habitat from fires and urbanization. In a study conducted over 10 years, only 40 attacks on humans were reported in Australia. However, the number of kangaroo-related injuries has been on the rise, and experts attribute it to changes in their habitat.
In a tragic event in 2022, a 77-year-old farmer lost his life after being attacked by a kangaroo. It was the first recorded kangaroo attack-related death since the 1930s. Experts remind people that despite their cute and cuddly appearance, kangaroos are wild animals and should be treated with caution. Their sharp claws and powerful kicks can cause severe injuries, and if confronted, the best course of action is to curl into a ball and protect one's head while shouting for help.
The latest figures show that there are almost 2.5 million kangaroos in Victoria, belonging to three different breeds. While they are protected, they can be managed or culled, especially by farmers. It is a reminder that despite their beauty and charm, kangaroos are still wild animals and should be treated with respect and caution.
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