Dampier Police investigating deliberate running down of four kangaroos at Hampton Harbour carpark

Police fear a rise in kangaroo deaths, including four animals found in a Dampier carpark, could be the result of heartless motorists deliberately mowing the animals down. After initially dismissing the increase as a result of more traffic on the road, police have not ruled out a more sinister cause after four kangaroos were deliberately run down and their carcasses left at a Hampton Harbour carpark. The four kangaroos were discovered by walkers early in the morning on April 12. Dampier police officer-in-charge Sen. Sgt Paul World said it looked like the animals had been deliberately struck down. “I had a walk through the carpark and it does look like the kangaroos have been struck at different points within the car park. But by the time we got there someone had put them into a line,” he said. “I don’t think there’s anything malicious with someone tidying them up but I believe it was a deliberate act to run them down.” Sen. Sgt World said said police had noticed an increase in kangaroo deaths on Dampier roads. “We put it down to an increase of traffic but after what we saw, you couldn’t rule out that maybe someone’s deliberately running kangaroos over,” he said. “We did have a prior incident where someone stuffed a stick in a dead kangaroo when it was lying on the side of the road about two weeks before. “Since then, we’re canvassing the community for any information, or if anyone can come forward.” Sen. Sgt World said police had gained some minor information from CCTV footage at the access points at the location but did not have a confirmed time frame for the incident. He said police were working through CCTV footage to try to identify a person or vehicle. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.