Albany WA: Killer kangaroo kept paramedics from saving alpaca breeder Peter Eades

The inside story of how killer kangaroo viciously mauled its owner and then BLOCKED ambos from saving his life – as it’s revealed farmer raised it from a joey… only for it to betray him

Alpaca breeder Peter Eades, 77, died when his pet kangaroo fatally attacked him
Paramedics called to the scene couldn’t reach his body because of the kangaroo
Police had to shoot animal but Mr Eades could not be saved and died at scene
Mr Eades had dug his own grave in the pet cemetery he started for his alpacas

By Kevin Airs For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 01:53 BST, 14 September 2022 | Updated: 02:36 BST, 14 September 2022

A killer kangaroo savaged its owner then stood guard over the dying man’s body preventing paramedics from trying to save him.

Alpaca breeder Peter Eades, 77, was killed when his pet roo suddenly turned on him on Sunday, unleashing a violent attack which mortally wounded the elderly man.

Paramedics called to Mr Eades’s rural homestead near Redmond, in southern Western Australia, were unable to reach him because of the aggressive kangaroo.

The kangaroo had to be shot dead by police – and Mr Eades tragically died from his injuries at the scene.

It is believed to be the first fatal roo attack in Australia since 1936.

Alpaca breeder Peter Eades, 77, was killed when his pet roo suddenly turned on him, unleashing a violent attack which left the elderly man mortally wounded

‘The kangaroo was posing an ongoing threat to emergency responders and the attending officers were required to euthanize the kangaroo by firearm,’ a spokesman said.

Emergency services are yet to release specific details of the Mr Eades’ injuries.

Mr Eades was a renowned animal lover who refused to sell his alpacas for meat and often rescued the animals from owners who could no longer cope with them.

Locals revealed the grandfather had hand-reared his pet kangaroo from a joey after adopting it three years ago.

The devoted animal lover had already dug his own grave in a home-made cemetery so he could be buried with his precious pets.

Mr Eades revealed five years ago that he had created the burial ground on his land for all his beloved alpacas when they died.

Each one was commemorated with a headstone or a cross bearing their name, and he had even dug a spot for himself alongside his favourite alpaca, Claudia.

Paramedics called to the rural homestead near Redmond in southern Western Australia were unable to reach the elderly man because of the aggressive kangaroo (stock image pictured)

The devoted animal lover had already dug his own grave in a home-made cemetery so he could be buried with his precious pets

He started his Agonis Alpaca stud in 1997, 25 north west of Albany, with a 60-head flock, each individually named.

He retired in recent years but had kept the alpacas as treasured pets.

Around 20 of the animals were buried in his paddock cemetery, including his favourite Claudia who died 20 years ago, breaking Mr Eades’s heart.

‘She was the most beautiful animal, extremely affectionate,’ he told the ABC in 2017. ‘She would sit alongside me and put her head in my lap and go to sleep.

‘I put the headstones as a memento to them. People get buried, lots of dog owners bury their animals and have little emblems for them.

‘I dug my grave here as well.’

He added: ‘My feeling for alpacas is such that I started doing it and I just carry on doing it. I’m a bit different.

‘I love my animals very much.’

WHY KANGAROOS ATTACK

Kangaroos are mostly docile creatures, and interactions with humans are infrequent.

They can be unpredictable when they feel they are threatened, or that their territory is being encroached on – whether by a human or another animal.

Fewer than five people each year seek treatment for kangaroo attacks in NSW.

The most common reasons for a kangaroo to attack a human are:

They see the person as a threat or a sparring opponent. They often will try to protect their group or offspring.
The kangaroo has lost its instinctive fear of humans – generally as a result of humans feeding or handling it from a young age.
The kangaroo is in an unfamiliar terrain or has recently moved habitats. Natural disasters like drought and fires can force a kangaroo out of its home and closer to roads and walking trails to seek out food and water, which poses a threat.

When a kangaroo attacks a person, the will generally do so in a similar matter to fighting another kangaroo, using their paws to push or ‘grapple’ the opponent to the ground.

How to avoid threatening a kangaroo:

• Do not walk directly toward the kangaroo.

• Do not stand up tall, stare or hold your arms out towards a kangaroo.

• Do not go near male kangaroos that are sparring, fighting or showing off their size and strength to each other.

• Do not move between a female and her joey.

• Do not allow your dog to approach a kangaroo. Kangaroos will vigorously defend themselves against dogs, and this may draw you into a dangerous situation.

***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk