A person in his seventies who was attacked by a kangaroo has been left scarred by the macho marsupial.

Brian O’Donnell, 74, was using his bike throughout his farm within the Australian state of Victoria on Saturday night time when the kangaroo started following him.

The kangaroo measured round 7 toes tall by O’Donnell’s estimations and “began growling and leaping up and down,” he instructed native information station ABC Wimmera.

“Subsequent factor I do know he was on prime of me,” O’Donnell mentioned. “He had his prime paws proper round my again. We had been virtually headbutting one another. I simply stored punching him till he let me go and [the kangaroo] jumped away about 15 meters (49 toes).”

There are 4 species of kangaroo discovered throughout Australia: the pink kangaroo, the jap gray, the western gray and the antilopine kangaroo. Kangaroo assaults on people are unusual however could be vicious, with some folks even dying consequently.

“A typical assault is the outcome (most individuals assume) of mistaken identification. Principally, male kangaroos which are prime/alpha males have gotten to that degree as a result of they’ve dominated different males within the mob, bodily preventing them for preferential entry to females for intercourse,” Karl Vernes, an affiliate professor of ecology on the College of Environmental & Rural Science on the College of New England in Australia, instructed Newsweek.

“They’re at all times considering of mating—that just about occupies their day. So, assaults are virtually (or at all times?) giant, dominant males who suppose that the transgressor is one other giant male kangaroo that’s wading into the mob of females to mate with them.”

Kangaroos can attain sizes of as much as 200 kilos and round 7 toes tall, relying on the species.

“They’re highly effective animals. Largely assaults contain kicking folks resulting in bruising and puncture wounds from their sharp toe claws,” Vernes mentioned. “The kinds of accidents this man acquired is typical. It was a bit unusual that he was attacked repeatedly. Normally, I believe the kangaroo realizes its mistake after the primary assault—i.e., that it’s not one other kangaroo—and that’s the finish of the occasion.

“The ‘headlock’ is what male kangaroos do—they kick and rake with their toes, after which attempt to ‘throw’ their opponent with their highly effective forearms—so it’s normal kangaroo preventing ways.”

O’Donnell made a break for it, barely making it onto his bike earlier than the kangaroo charged for a second time.

“Yet one more soar and he would’ve been on prime of me once more,” he instructed ABC Wimmera.

The person was rushed to native well being providers, the place he acquired stitches, bandages, and antibiotics. His shirt was torn up by the assault.

“If he hadn’t had on a thick T-shirt the abrasions would have been extra extreme,” O’Donnell’s spouse Sue instructed the information station.

Fortunately, even for Australian locals, being attacked by a kangaroo is a really unusual incidence.

“Assault by a kangaroo is EXTREMELY uncommon,” Vernes mentioned. “Kangaroos should not sometimes aggressive and never often thought of harmful. However they’re wild animals, and we must always due to this fact give them loads of area. Take the great distance round for instance, reasonably than shifting via a mob of animals.”

The one instances kangaroos will assault often is when females are in warmth, making them very aggressive to any perceived risk to their dominance.

“The one time I’ve seen that is when a male is guarding a feminine in oestrus from different males. Males get very aggressive when there’s a feminine who’s receptive, and assault every other male close by,” Alecia Carter, an affiliate professor in evolutionary anthropology at College Faculty London, instructed Newsweek.

“Kangaroo males don’t ‘shield’ females/the group, from what I’ve seen. They’re defending their potential to have a child. Simply being shut is due to this fact ‘sufficient’ to ‘provoke’ an assault on this very particular context, which is uncommon!”

Within the unlikely case of a kangaroo assault, Vernes advises strongly towards preventing again.

“Drop down, tuck right into a ball to guard your organs, tuck your head in, and shield the again of the neck together with your palms,” he mentioned. “The kangaroo would possibly soar on you however then will lose curiosity as a result of there isn’t a risk, and the response just isn’t the anticipated one. Apparently, that is what ladies are likely to do when attacked, whereas males sometimes attempt to battle again.”

As soon as the kangaroo stops, get as distant from it and its females as you may.

“Run away as quick as potential,” Carter urges. “As quickly as you’re not within the space, he ought to cease pursuing you. And he received’t go away the feminine for lengthy (due to the chance of one other male coming to the feminine whereas he’s chasing you).”

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This article by Jess Thomson was first revealed by NewsWeek on 5 October 2023. Lead Picture: Inventory picture of two Japanese Gray Kangaroos preventing in Tasmania, Australia. A person in his 70s was attacked by a kangaroo in Australia and narrowly escaped. ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS.