Raging 7ft-tall kangaroo puts farmer in a headlock during vicious attack after knocking him off his motorbike

Australia
By William

Enraged 7-foot-tall kangaroo puts farmer in a headlock in brutal attack after knocking him off his bike

By Daily Mail Australia Reporter

Published: 11:31 AM EDT, October 5, 2023 | Updated: 11:31 AM EDT, October 5, 2023

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An angry 2.1 meter kangaroo put a farmer in a headlock after dragging him from his motorbike.

Brian O’Donnell, from St Arnaud in country Victoria, was driving his Honda across his farmland to check on a cow about to give birth when he noticed the huge marsupial chasing him.

Instead of jumping away — as most kangaroos would do — “the creature started growling and jumping up and down,” 74-year-old O’Donnell told the ABC.

Brian O'Donnell, from St Arnaud in country Victoria, was driving his Honda across his farmland to check on a cow about to give birth when he noticed the huge marsupial chasing him.

Brian O’Donnell, from St Arnaud in country Victoria, was driving his Honda across his farmland to check on a cow about to give birth when he noticed the huge marsupial chasing him.

The kangaroo left Mr O'Donnell with nasty scratches on his neck and back

The kangaroo left Mr O'Donnell with nasty scratches on his neck and back

The kangaroo left Mr O’Donnell with nasty scratches on his neck and back

“Before I knew it, he was on top of me.”

The farmer said the kangaroo put him in a headlock and tore at his clothing, leaving cuts on his neck and back.

‘He had his upper legs right around my back. We almost headbutted each other,” he said.

“I just kept hitting him until he let me go and (the kangaroo) jumped away, about 50 feet.”

Mr O’Donnell clambered back onto his motorbike as the kangaroo attacked again, with the farmer narrowly escaping.

Kangaroos do not normally attack and it is possible that the chamber in question may have viewed Mr O'Donnell's actions as a threat (file photo)

Kangaroos do not normally attack and it is possible that the chamber in question may have viewed Mr O'Donnell's actions as a threat (file photo)

Kangaroos do not normally attack and it is possible that the chamber in question may have viewed Mr O’Donnell’s actions as a threat (file photo)

His wife, Sue, was enjoying a glass of wine when Mr O’Donnell returned covered in cuts and bruises.

She took him to a local medical center for stitches and antibiotic treatment.

Kangaroos do not normally attack and it is possible that the chamber in question may have viewed Mr O’Donnell’s actions as a threat.

The cow that the farmer checked has yet to give birth.

WHY KANGAROOS ATTACK

Kangaroos are usually docile creatures and interactions with humans are rare.

They can be unpredictable if they feel they are being threatened, or that their territory is being encroached upon – by a human or another animal.

Fewer than five people seek treatment for kangaroo attacks in NSW each year.

The most common reasons why a kangaroo attacks a human are:

  • They see the person as a threat or a sparring partner. They will often try to protect their group or offspring.
  • The kangaroo has lost its instinctive fear of humans – usually as a result of humans feeding or handling it from an early age.
  • The kangaroo is in unfamiliar territory or has recently moved its habitat. Natural disasters such as drought and fires can force a kangaroo from its home and search for food and water closer to roads and trails, posing a threat.

When a kangaroo attacks a person, it will generally do so in a similar manner to fighting another kangaroo, using its paws to push or ‘grab’ the opponent to the ground.

How to avoid endangering a kangaroo:

Do not walk directly towards the kangaroo.

Do not stand up straight, stare or extend your arms towards a kangaroo.

Do not approach male kangaroos that are sparring, fighting or showing off their size and strength to each other.

Do not move between a female and her joey.

Do not allow your dog to approach a kangaroo. Kangaroos will defend themselves vigorously against dogs, and this can put you in a dangerous situation.

Source: NSW Environment and Heritage Agency

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