A man has been charged with animal cruelty and firearm offenses after allegedly shooting and killing nearly 100 kangaroos in the Hunter region of New South Wales. On October 8, authorities discovered a total of 98 dead kangaroos on Commonwealth land, prompting an investigation by NSW Police.
The 43-year-old suspect was arrested at a property in Williamtown on December 20, with police confirming the seizure of several firearms during the operation. In total, three weapons were recovered in October, with additional firearms found in December, including some from a second property in the Hunter region.
The man, whose identity has not yet been disclosed, faces six charges, including aggravated cruelty to an animal, discharging a firearm on Commonwealth land, trespassing on Commonwealth land, failing to safely store a firearm, harming a protected animal, and not meeting firearm license storage requirements.
In a statement, NSW Police noted, “Police have since seized several firearms from a second Hunter region property. A Firearms Suspension Notice has been issued.” The suspect is scheduled to appear at the Raymond Terrace Local Court on January 13.
This incident follows a recent case in which a 20-year-old was arrested for deliberately running over both adult and baby kangaroos near Lithgow, with reports of one body being mutilated. In 2021, two 17-year-old boys were also arrested for killing 14 kangaroos, including two joeys, near Batemans Bay, highlighting ongoing concerns about animal cruelty in the region.
