US tourist has to grab kangaroo by the throat after being attacked at Perth Zoo in viral TikTok

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By James

Astonishing moment American tourist is forced to grab a kangaroo by the throat after it kicked and scratched it in a zoo attack

  • Kangaroo scratched and kicked an American visitor to a zoo in Perth
  • The man fended off the attack and grabbed the rod’s throat
  • His family filmed and laughed as he tried to defend himself

By Jade Hobman for Daily Mail Australia

published: | Updated:

An American tourist has been involved in a skirmish with a kangaroo at a Perth zoo.

Footage of the attack, filmed by the man’s daughter, shows him smiling nervously as he fends off the aggressive marsupial.

“My dad was just trying to stop the kangaroo from being frisky with that lady,” the man’s daughter writes with the video on TikTok.

The clip began with a woman trying to get away from the animal before the tourist came between them.

In response, the marsupial rose to its feet, leaping and clawing at the man as it tried to hold him off.

Both men at one point held onto the ‘roo’s front legs to prevent it from scratching, but the animal launched both legs at them as it balanced on its tail (pictured)

The father tried to grab hold of the 'roo's neck to restrain him during the prolonged attack (pictured), while he seemed to remain calm with a smile

The father tried to grab hold of the ‘roo’s neck to restrain him during the prolonged attack (pictured), while he seemed to remain calm with a smile

A woman behind the camera laughed and yelled at the man, “This is your chance to fight a kangaroo.”

She then heard continuous laughter as the kangaroo continued to attack.

The father, wearing a black T-shirt, cap, blue jeans and brown boots, lifted his leg to defend himself, but the animal continued to charge before a younger man stepped in to help.

Both men at one point held onto the kangaroo’s front legs to prevent it from scratching, but it launched both legs at them while balancing on its tail.

Both men tried to run away from the animal, but the kangaroo continued to follow them, kicking and jumping.

Eventually, the ‘roo was calmed down after a zoo employee intervened and told the two men to walk away.

“Hold it out, cut it out, bad boy,” she told the marsupial as it crouched back on the ground.

The post went viral with some comparing the stoush to a “bar fight.”

“It’s like the kangaroo just wanted to have a bar fight because the dude was messing with his wife,” they said.

“Just a little boy enjoying casual sparring with the visitors,” said another.

“Once old love showed up bam… haha ​​he’s a good boy now!!” wrote a third.

WHY KANGAROOS ATTACK

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

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

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

The most common reasons for a kangaroo to attack a human are:

  • They see the person as a threat or a sparring opponent. 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 a young age.
  • The kangaroo is in unfamiliar territory or has recently moved its habitat. Natural disasters such as drought and fires can force a kangaroo out of its home and closer to roads and hiking trails to forage for food and water, posing a threat.

When a kangaroo attacks a person, it will generally do so in the same way as fighting another kangaroo, using its paws to push or “grab” the opponent to the ground.

How to avoid threatening a kangaroo:

Do not walk directly to the kangaroo.

Don’t stand up, stare, or stretch your arms out at a kangaroo.

Don’t go near male kangaroos who are sparring, fighting, or displaying 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 defend themselves vigorously against dogs and this can put you in a dangerous situation.

Source: NSW Bureau of Environment and Heritage

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