Goodbye to ‘the Schwarzenegger of ‘roos’: Roger the kangaroo who made international headlines because of his ripped physique dies at the age of 12
- Muscly kangaroo who became an internet sensation in 2015 has died aged 12
- Roger became famous when pictures of him surfaced showing his buff muscles
- The red kangaroo was a resident at The Kangaroo Sanctuary in Alice Springs
- Death was announced on Saturday and tributes for famous roo have poured in
The muscly kangaroo that made international headlines for his toned physique has died at the age of 12.
Roger, who stood 200 centimetres tall, became an internet sensation in 2015 when pictures surfaced of his bulging biceps, popping veins and prominent chest.
The red kangaroo was a resident at The Kangaroo Sanctuary in Alice Springs in the Northern Territory, where he crushed metal buckets with his paws for fun.
The muscly kangaroo that made international headlines for his toned physique has died at the age of 12 (pictured)
Roger, who stood 200 centimetres tall, became an internet hit in 2015 when pictures surfaced of his bulging biceps, popping veins and prominent chest
Roger’s death was announced on Saturday by sanctuary boss Chris ‘Brolga’ Barnes in an emotional tribute shared to Facebook.
‘It’s a very sad day here today for we have lost our beautiful boy, Roger,’ Mr Barnes said.
‘Ten years ago, I built this sanctuary to house Roger and a couple of his wives, Ella (and) Abigail. We built it so they’d have a place to live.
‘Roger was our alpha male for many years and he grew up to be a kangaroo that people from all over the world have grown to love as much as we love him too.’
Mr Barnes said the sanctuary will reflect on Roger and his legacy for the years to come.
‘He will always be here,’ he said.
Roger’s death was announced on Saturday by sanctuary boss Chris ‘Brolga’ Barnes, in an emotional tribute shared to Facebook (pictured)
‘We’ve laid him to rest out here so he can be with his family.’
Over the past few years, Mr Barnes built Roger’s internet fame by posting a number pictures of the buff roo.
In September 2016, he revealed aging Roger was suffering from arthritis in a video which showed him bent over.
‘I would never have been able to pat Roger like I am now, but he is getting old,’ he said in the video.
Mr Barnes hand-raised Roger after finding the tiny orphaned joey sitting on the side of the road beside his dead mother back in 2006.
Roger’s passing has been met with an influx of tributes from his international fan base.
Roger’s (pictured) passing has been met with an influx of tributes from his international fan base
‘He was a magnificent animal and is a true Australian icon helping to put Central Australia on the map!’ wrote one fan.
‘Thank you, Brolga, for rescuing Roger those many years ago and providing a wonderful life for him and amazing experiences for so many people who visited Roger over the years.
‘I miss him already. Tears.’
Another wrote: ‘Thank you for loving him so much. A life lived fully and proudly, Roger was so lucky to have found you and you him. He will always be magnificent.’
One fan referred to Roger as the ‘Schwarzenegger of roos’ and another called him ‘the king’.
One fan referred to Roger (pictured) as the ‘Schwarzenegger of roos’ and another called him ‘the king’
‘He lived a rich and full life and brought joy to people all around the world thanks to you Brolga,’ another tribute read.
‘Rest in Peace Roger! Thanks for brightening our days with your wonderful personality!’ commented another fan.
Many tributes referred to Roger’s favourite past time.
‘Roger was the dude! Absolutely handsome boy! Find those buckets and crush them hard matie boy, Bless you,’ said one fan.
The video announcing Roger’s death has been viewed over 50,000 times.