THE male kangaroo that was sedated and removed from Cook Park on Wednesday afternoon received specialist veterinary treatment for an injured tail and foot, and is recovering at an animal rehabilitation compound.
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WIRES spokesman Justin McKee said members decided to removed the animal from the park after being contacted by an onlooker who was concerned about its welfare, particularly as the park was surrounded by four busy roads, including the Mitchell Highway.
Mr McKee said while nearby roads would have proved hazardous for the kangaroo, it wasn’t viable for him to live in the park.
“The park just didn’t have the habitat to support him, he couldn’t have survived if he’d have stayed there,” he said.
“We are happy to move animals to more appropriate habitats where their welfare isn’t at risk.”
Mr McKee said the kangaroo’s relaxed behaviour in the park suggested he may have come in close proximity to humans in the past, which was not surprising as kangaroo colonies were often found in recreational areas close to houses or on golf courses.
Mr McKee said volunteer consulting ecologist Ray Mjadwesch was contacted to help sedate and remove the animal from the park.
He is regularly used by WIRES, the police, vets and other animal rescue organisations around the central west.
Mr Mjadwesch used a dart gun to sedate the kangaroo for about 90 minutes until he could be sedated further, treated by a veterinarian and given antibiotics.
He said the injures to the animal’s tail and foot suggested he may have gotten caught in a fence or was hurt while attempting to jump a fence.
Mr Mjadwesch said the kangaroo was lucky to have been captured.
“He was lost and he probably would have died,” he said.