How to pick a killer kangaroo: Expert reveals the warning signs after an elderly man was killed by his pet
- Man, 77, was killed by a kangaroo in Redmond, near Albany in WA on Sunday
- Expert has revealed the signs to look out for that show a kangaroo is aggressive
- Kangaroos will puff their chests out, lean back on tails and look as big as possible
- The fatal attack on Sunday was the latest death from kangaroo since 1936
An expert has revealed the warning signs a kangaroo is about to attack, following the shocking death of an elderly man at the hands of his pet.
Paramedics were called to a 77-year-old alpaca farmer's property in Redmond, near Albany, Western Australia, on Sunday night.
A relative found the man suffering serious injuries.
The kangaroo was reportedly still aggressive when paramedics arrived, blocking them from getting close.
The elderly man tragically died at the scene and the kangaroo was shot dead.
An expert has warned Australians what to look out for if a kangaroo is about to attack, following the shocking death of an elderly man at the hands of one of the animals
Wildlife expert Hayley Shute, the curator of the Australian Reptile Park in NSW's Central Coast, said kangaroos will puff out their chests, lean back on their tails and do anything to 'make themselves look bigger' if they feel threatened.
'Male kangaroos will battle one another to be the alpha male,' she told Daily Mail Australia.
'Their bodies are built for kicking and fighting - their nickname is the boxing kangaroo.
'Male kangaroos are very muscly, they've got strong legs and sharp claws so they can do real damage to each other.'
Ms Shute said it was shocking a kangaroo had killed a human being given the last known human death from the marsupial was 85 years ago.
'When any person is injured or killed by an animal it's quite shocking, especially kangaroos as they're seen as this cute and fluffy icon of Australia,' she said.
'The take home message for the public is to give distance to wild animals and give them respect.
'Animals mostly aren't going to attack you because they don't see you as a threat.'
Male kangaroos will fight each other to determine who the alpha male is
Police believe the kangaroo that attacked the man was a wild animal aged less than 12-months-old.
'The kangaroo was posing an ongoing threat to emergency responders and the attending officers were required to euthanise the kangaroo by firearm,' a spokesman said.
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
It's the first deadly kangaroo attack in Australia in 86 years.
The last fatal attack was in 1936 when hunter William Cruickshank, 38 tried to rescue his two dogs from a fight with a kangaroo in Hillston in western NSW.
He suffered a broken jaw and extensive head injuries and later died in hospital.
The Great Southern region is home to the western grey kangaroo, which can grow to be about 70 kilograms and 223centimetres long from head to tail.
Most watched News videos
- Chilling moment man follows victim before assaulting her sexually
- Rep. Rich McCormick possibly caught touching Beth Van Duyne's arm!
- Met officer found guilty of assault for manhandling woman on bus
- Alleged airstrike hits a Russian tank causing massive explosion
- Father and daughter attacked by Palestine supporter at Belgian station
- Maths teacher given the nickname 'Bunda Becky' arrives at court
- Man grabs huge stick to try to fend off crooks stealing his car
- Suspected shoplifter dragged and kicked in Sainsbury's storeroom
- Elephant herd curls up in jungle for afternoon nap in India
- Moment police rescue stabbed man after being buried for four days
- Pro-Palestinian protestors light off flares as they march in London
- 'Predator' teacher Rebecca Joynes convicted of sex with schoolboys