According to this report a kangaroo inflicted extensive injuries on a man in Melbourne’s north-west.
The victim, aged in his 50s, suffered a large gash to the head and other wounds to the chest and hands.
Ambulance officers treated him at the scene. He was transferred to the Royal Melbourne Hospital in a stable condition.
“He was jogging near his home when he was attacked by a male kangaroo. He managed to fight the kangaroo off and made his way to a neighbour’s house who called 000,” an ambulance spokesman said.
Kangaroos are large animals and I wouldn’t like to tangle with one.
I can’t say I’ve ever felt threatened by a kangaroo though. They normally hop away when they see a human.
Goannas are a different story. They are frightening to look at, grow more than two metres long and most Australians have heard stories that you should lie flat if a goanna comes towards you, in case it tries to climb you!
Wikipedia says: “Alarmed goannas can mistake standing humans for trees and attempt to climb off the ground to safety, which is understandably painful, as well as distressing for both man and beast.”
We had a pet goanna when we lived at Pambula. He used to sunbake on our roof and was quite comfortable around people. Goannas eat snakes, so we were quite happy for him to stay.
Attacked by a hoppie? Wow.
I would not want that clawed goaana to climb me! ouch
Goannas do bite people occasionally, too, I’ve heard.
That’s definitely something to be avoided. They eat lots of carrion and their mouths are full of bacteria, so the wounds can easily become infected.
Ewww, really? Gross.
I hate it when I see those fools trying to coerce kangaroos to “box”. I can see what’s happening when the ‘roo tries to get a grip on them; it’s setting up to rear back, kick out and rip their bellies open with the steel-sharp claws on those big hopping legs. Not that I’d feel any pity for those twits. Now, when the ‘roo is the aggressor, it’s another story. A few years back I read of an elderly man who fended off an overly-territorial male by administering what the bloke described as a “Jubilee Twist” to its scrotum. So there’s a helpful hint: take advantage of the gripping hand that Nature gave us if a ‘roo tries to clinch and kick with you.
Twitter: mgorey
says:
I think we’ve provided a valuable public service here for potential travellers to the Australian bush.
1) If you see a goanna running towards you, lay down flat like an Italian soldier.
2) If bitten by a goanna, seek an immediate injection of Penicillin.
3) If attacked by a male kangaroo, grab its testicles.