The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has shot a kangaroo, alleged to have been responsible for attacks or threatening behaviour towards people at Brooms Head. Responding to an enquiry by the Independent, a spokesperson said that the NPWS was first made aware of the situation at Brooms Head late last year, following a report of an incident by a resident. “NPWS responded by direct discussions with the resident and [conducted] 11 site visits to try and identify the animal,” the spokesperson said. “Identification was not possible until June this year, when the animal was positively identified and its place of habitation found. “NPWS assessed the animal as aggressive and recommended it be destroyed. “With positive identification and location, NPWS took immediate action and issued Clarence Valley Council (landholder) and a registered shooter with licences to destroy the animal.” When asked how NPWS ascertained that the kangaroo was the same one that recently “attacked” a woman in her yard, the spokesperson said: “The animal had known physical attributes and behaviour and photographs had been taken. “It is important that people report conflict with kangaroo incidents as soon as practical to their local NPWS.” When asked to elaborate on the process followed, the spokesperson said: “The NPWS worked with Clarence Valley Council on options to provide a response. “The decision to destroy an animal is only taken as a last resort. “This animal had confronted people in the back beach access which meant if someone needed help in that area assistance would not be readily available. “This particular kangaroo was known to locals who could readily identify it. “The kangaroo was monitored regularly until it was in a location that enabled the operation to be conducted safely and humanely. “Incidents occurred on, and the animal was frequenting, land managed by Clarence Valley Council.” NPWS fact sheet for managing kangaroos • Kangaroos are often portrayed in the media as friendly and cuddly Australian cultural icons. • They can hurt people; however the risk is of being attacked by a kangaroo is very low. • Kangaroo attacks may occur where kangaroos have lost their instinctive fear of humans, often because people have fed or handled them. • A kangaroo sees a person as a sparring partner or threat to themselves, their offspring or their dominance of the group. • A kangaroo will attack a person as if they were another kangaroo. It may push or grapple with its forepaws or sit back and kick out with its hind legs. • As resulting injuries can be serious, avoiding conflict with kangaroos is vital. • Discourage kangaroos from moving through, grazing and resting on your property through humane, safe and creative techniques such as using sprinklers, trimming trees, using furniture as a barrier, ensuring access to your property is too high or too narrow for kangaroos to navigate, and creating noise though, for example, suspending a number of tin cans from string that bang together in the breeze. • Modify or remove resources around homes that attract kangaroos such as water points, shaded and sheltered areas and food. • Keep kangaroos out of the area near your home by fencing it. • If this is too expensive, fence off small secure areas kangaroos cannot access where children can play. • Maintain good visibility around your property so you do not mistakenly run into kangaroos during the day or night. • Supervise your children closely in areas where kangaroos occur. • Teach children about kangaroos, how to behave near them and what to do if a kangaroo displays aggressive behaviour towards them. • Outside your property, modify your routine to avoid close contact with kangaroos. • For example, when walking, consider a route where kangaroos are not present or choose a time for walking when kangaroos are not active in the area. • Do not feed kangaroos. Unnatural food sources often create unbalanced kangaroo numbers, and cause aggressive behaviour and sickness.