Panicked kangaroos killed during rabbit cull at Settlers Run Golf and Country Club in Melbourne

Panicked kangaroos are hit by cars in scenes of ‘carnage’ in front of terrified children after a ‘rabbit cull gone wrong’ at an elite golf course

  • Rabbit culling spooks a mob of 30 kangaroos at a golf course in Melbourne
  • Panicked kangaroos and joeys ran into oncoming traffic, fences & properties
  • Eight kangaroos and joeys were killed after being hit by cars in peak hour traffic 
  • Authorities are still unsure as to what caused the animal to become spooked

Several kangaroos have been tragically killed after a disastrous rabbit cull at a prestigious golf club. 

A mob of about 30 panicked kangaroos as well as joeys fled into oncoming traffic and parked cars at Settlers Run Golf and Country Club near Cranbourne, Melbourne, on Monday. 

The roos are believed to have become spooked by contracted rabbit shooters leading to ‘carnage’ in front of terrified parents and their children.  

Multiple Kangaroos have been tragically killed in a rabbit cull ‘gone wrong’ at Settlers Run Golf and Country Club in Cranbourne, Melbourne  (pictured, panicked kangaroos flee during a rabbit culling)

Some animals reportedly became trapped between metal picketed fences after scattering into nearby properties. 

At least eight kangaroos and joeys were reportedly killed by cars during the tragedy. 

Local Michelle Brown told the Cranbourne Leader she and her children witnessed the ‘carnage’ after kangaroos jumped into their property.  

The spooked kangaroos reportedly fled into traffic, fences and nearby properties (pictured)

The spooked kangaroos reportedly fled into traffic, fences and nearby properties (pictured)

‘They saw a kangaroo break its leg on our steps and a joey thrown from its mum when they were jumping over our fence,’ Ms Brown told the Leader.

Footage recorded by Ms Brown shows a kangaroo with a broken leg frantically fleeing the golf course. 

She said the animal was later euthanised due to its injuries. 

‘It was absolutely the most horrendous thing I have had to watch. 

Australian Animal Rescue Inc. attended the scene on Monday and said they were still unsure as to what in particular led to the disaster. 

‘We don’t know what went wrong, they’ve been doing it [rabbit culling] for five weeks whatever has spooked those roos – we don’t know,’ a spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia.  

‘There was peak hour traffic, roadworks diverted more and it was deadlocked, they were just jumping into cars, fences and properties.

‘In 15 years I’ve lived here and done animal rescue I’ve never seen anything like it. 

Eight kangaroos and joeys died during the incident while one joey was left orphaned (pictured)

Eight kangaroos and joeys died during the incident while one joey was left orphaned (pictured)

The spokesperson said they were told contractors were using a silencer however, some residents reported hearing gunshots while others didn’t.    

They also said the golf club had previously been using a gas for rabbit culling but resorted to shooting this year after a complaint from a resident.  

Settlers Run Golf and Country Club general manager Tim Hanton told the Cranbourne Leader it had hired vermin control specialists for the culling. He said no kangaroos were shot by cullers and that the roos were ‘spooked’ off the property.    

A pest controller was quoted saying he had conducted such culls at the property for over 15 years and all safety and legal requirements were met.   

Victoria Police attended the scene and WorkSafe are making further inquiries.  

Rabbits are considered one of Australia’s most serious pests since they were introduced near Geelong Victoria in 1860.

The vermin destroy pasture and crops, and can also affect the habitat and food of other native fauna such as kangaroos.   

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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk