By Grace Frost
Volunteer wildlife rescuers are calling for increased awareness of the treatment of wildlife in the local area, after non-fatal shootings left numerous kangaroos injured and suffering.
Macedon-based volunteer wildlife rescuer Debbie Gwyther-Jones was one of four volunteers involved in rescuing a large male kangaroo in Hidden Valley last month.
The kangaroo had been spotted on Lookout Rise with half its mouth missing, after being shot in the face.
Rescuers said the kangaroo couldn’t even drink from a puddle of water.
“The bullet penetrated his jaw, almost severing his tongue. He was left unable to eat or drink but fully mobile. His tongue, swollen and black, [was] hanging loosely from his mouth,” Ms Gwyther-Jones said.
She said although shooters were trained to not shoot uphill towards a ridgeline, rescuers believe the kangaroo had been shot from below.
Ms Gwyther-Jones was joined by fellow rescue volunteers, Sue Anderson, Lauren Torzillo and Glen Cottier, who spent days alternating to search for the kangaroo in Hidden Valley after it was first reported on September 16.
The rescuers knocked on residents’ doors, passing on their phone numbers in case it was spotted.
After a call from a resident on September 20, Ms Anderson was able to safely euthanise him.
Ms Gwyther-Jones said the kangaroo was one of four kangaroos shot and left unattended over a 10-day period, with photos and details of other injuries ‘too gory to share’.
Despite the details being ‘uncomfortable’, the rescue team said it was important for people to be aware of the prevalence of shootings and road accidents that were leaving kangaroos to suffer.
Ms Gwyther-Jones said shooters were expected to stop shooting if they did not kill an animal, locate the wounded animal and end its suffering before continuing on.
The rescue volunteers said some shooters and harvesters had not followed regulations, particularly shooting at night when it was hard to locate kangaroos who had not been shot humanely.
The volunteers worry that without serious consequences for perpetrators, wildlife will continue to fall victim.
“I’m left feeling so disheartened and useless. We do so much for these sentient beings yet government keep giving out permits to murder them, fighting an endless battle and it’s exhausting,” Ms Torzillo said.
Ms Gwyther-Jones shared a similar sentiment, saying the constant rescues taken their toll on volunteers.
“Volunteer rescuers are self-funded,” she said.
“We are exhausted emotionally, physically and financially.”
The Office of Conservation Regulator, issues authorities to control wildlife, ATCWs, with conditions for shooting to ensure wildlife are shot humanely in accordance with the National Code of Practice for the Humane Shooting of Kangaroos and Wallabies for Non-commercial Purposes.
However, Ms Gwyther-Jones questioned if the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning should be responsible for issuing the permits.
Volunteer rescuers advise people who spot injured wildlife to call Wildlife Victoria on 8400 7300.
