Kangaroo recovering after being shot through the head with an arrow

An eastern grey kangaroo found shot through the head with an arrow last Thursday has earned a guardedly optimistic prognosis, thanks to the work of veterinary surgeon Dr. Michael Lynch of the Melbourne Zoo. 

Dr. Lynch operated Saturday to remove the arrow and will monitor the male kangaroo, now called Beau, for the next few weeks.  Both close monitoring and a course of antibiotics are necessary to ensure he doesn't fall victim to infection, a serious concern since the arrow penetrated his nasal cavity.  The Australian Associated Press reports:

"This was a big injury, but because the arrow didn't seem to have been in there for a long time, and the injury was fresh, hopefully he'll be okay," Dr Lynch said.  ...

Wildlife Victoria has offered a $10,000 reward [about $7,670 U.S.] to catch the person responsible. Wildlife Victoria media coordinator Fiona Corke said she couldn't believe anyone could be so cruel.

"It must be a very cold-hearted person to do that," she said.

Police received a report of two men shooting at kangaroos with crossbows in the Australian city of Bundoora; the men have not been caught and it's unclear if they are responsible for the shooting of this particular kangaroo. 

-- Lindsay Barnett

Photo: Beau recovering after surgery.  Credit: AFP/Getty Images.

Comments

[Liz]

I'm sorry to report that this kangaroo has now died as a result of the injuries sustained in the attack.