Man in Australia charged over kangaroo shootings

SYDNEY, May 1 (Xinhua) -- Australian police have charged a man with animal cruelty and firearm offenses after several kangaroos were shot and killed.

Police in Australia's state of Victoria said on Thursday that multiple kangaroos were found deceased at a reserve in Emerald, about 45 kilometers east of Melbourne, on three occasions in November and December 2024.

A police statement said that on each occasion the animals were believed to have "suffered significant trauma". At least 11 kangaroos were shot in the alleged attacks.

Victoria Police said that detectives executed a search warrant at a residence in the nearby suburb of Berwick on Wednesday following significant investigations and arrested a 22-year-old man.

He has been charged with several firearms and animal cruelty offenses, including three counts each of wounding, terrifying and abusing an animal as well as three counts of committing an act likely to cause pain or suffering to an animal.

Police seized firearms and ammunition from the residence and have suspended the man's firearms license. Enditem