A 43-year-old man in Australia has been arrested for allegedly shooting 98 kangaroos, which were found on a military base north of Sydney. The nearly one hundred dead kangaroos were discovered in October.
Following police investigations, the suspect was detained during a search last week. New South Wales Police reported that three firearms were also confiscated.
The suspect is said to be the owner of land adjacent to the military base. No motive has been disclosed.
The man faces charges including severe animal cruelty, injuring protected animals, and weapons law violations. He has been released on bail and is scheduled to appear in court in January.
Each charge carries a potential prison sentence of six months and a fine of 10,000 Australian dollars (approximately 6,000 euros). In June, dozens of dead kangaroos were also found in southeastern Australia, many with gunshot wounds and some deliberately run over.
Kangaroos are a protected species in Australia; however, the government issues permits to cull them for meat or hides. Kangaroo products are a significant export for the country, with thousands of professional hunters active.
The Australian government claims kangaroos are overpopulated, while many environmental organizations dispute these figures and wish to stop the culling, citing inhumane methods and the killing of joeys found in pouches.
Source: NOS