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Teenager Charged After Video Showed Him Repeatedly Bashing Kangaroo In The Face

Teenager Charged After Video Showed Him Repeatedly Bashing Kangaroo In The Face

The 18-year-old was allegedly seen in the sickening video attacking the defenceless animal, which later died

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

A man has been charged by police, after a sickening video showing a kangaroo being punched in the face went viral.

In the footage - which was shared on Snapchat - a man can be seen repeatedly punching the animal while an accomplice laughs in the background.

New South Wales Police have released a statement, saying the incident happened in the state's south.

The statement read: "Yesterday, police were made aware of a social media video circulating, allegedly showing a man punching an injured kangaroo, while those filming cheered and laughed.

"The kangaroo later died.

"Officers attached to Murray River Police District commenced an investigation into the incident. From information received, it's believed the incident took place in the Woomargama National Park south of Holbrook - between Albury and Wagga Wagga - in late January 2019.

"Following inquiries, an 18-year-old man contacted police in relation to the video. He was arrested at his home on Croft Street, Holbrook and taken to Holbrook Police Station.

Snapchat

"He was charged with commit an act of cruelty upon an animal and harm or attempt to harm a protected animal. He was granted bail to appear at Holbrook Local Court on Thursday 12 March 2020. Investigations continue, and a further person is expected to be charged."

Plenty of Australian wildlife has already suffered in the wake of the devastating bushfires that continue to affect parts of the country. Scores of animals have been wiped out, with more than a billion animals thought to have perished as a result.

At the start of the month, a touching photograph was shared of a badly burnt kangaroo seeking help from a teenager in New South Wales.

In the picture, the teen can be seen pouring water on the young kangaroo and offering it a bowl to drink from.

Many species have been affected in Australia - which is home to various indigenous fauna including kangaroos, koalas, wallabies, possums, wombats and echidnas - but koalas are feared to be among the hardest hit, with an estimated 30 percent of just one koala colony on the country's northeast coast thought to have been lost by the end of December.

Featured Image Credit: Snapchat

Topics: News, Animals, Australia