Giant kangaroo's surprise attack leaves man seriously injured
In the Australian state of Queensland, a giant kangaroo attacked a man in front of his own home. The 50-year-old man had just stepped out of his front door and was heading to his car when the animal unexpectedly attacked him.
The victim suffered serious chest injuries and deep lacerations on his arms. He was airlifted by helicopter to a hospital in Rockhampton.
According to the Queensland Ambulance Service, the attack was carried out by an adult male kangaroo measuring around 6.5 feet in height. A woman was also on the property, and she managed to escape when the man went outside.
Uncommon behavior of the kangaroo
Local residents are surprised by the animal's aggression.
Usually, kangaroos in the city are very friendly, and people feed and love them. Until now, there haven't been any problems, said one of the firefighters.
The authorities have urged residents to exercise extreme caution and warned about possible further incidents.
Kangaroos and attacks on humans
While aggressive incidents involving kangaroos are not everyday occurrences, they happen periodically in Australia. In 2022, the first fatal kangaroo attack since the 1930s took place; the victim had kept the animal as a pet.
Symbol of Australia and its species
The kangaroo is Australia's national animal. There are four main species of these marsupials: the red kangaroo—the largest among them, reaching up to 6.5 feet in height; the eastern grey kangaroo; the western grey kangaroo; and the antilopine kangaroo—known for its slender build and high speed.
The attack in Queensland shows that while kangaroos are considered a symbol of Australia and are often tamed, they are still wild animals whose behavior can be unpredictable.
