KEEPER’S FIGHT WITH “OLD MAN” KANGAROO

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 605, 6 March 1929, Page 13

KEEPER’S FIGHT WITH “OLD MAN” KANGAROO

EITTEN AND JUMPED ON William Coyne, attached to the staff at Dubbo Park, New South Wales, was attacked by a big kangaroo recently, and bad it not been for the timely arrival of a young man be 'would have been terribly injured. He went into the enclosure, and bad no sooner turned to shut the gate wdien the “old man” 'roo sprang at him, clasped him round the body and kicked his legs and bit his back. Taken by surprise the keeper endeavoured to shake the attacker off. Coyne kicked and punched, but the infuriated animal only came at him all the more, each time rushing and clasping him round the body with its forelegs. Twice the kangaroo lifted Coyne up and hurled him to the ground, on one occasion stamping on him and biting him.

After the fight had been going for fully .20 minutes, a young man, who was passing through the park, saw the battle, and after some trouble beat the animal off with a stick. Coyne was absolutely exhausted, and his coat was practically torn to ribbons by the animal’s sharp claws and teeth. He received a black eye, scratches on his neck and his back was badly bruised.