Kangaroo tries to 'drown a man in floodwater after throwing punches at him'
Don James lived to tell the tale – and warn others – after getting into a full-blown fist fight with the marsupial on Friday morning.
The incident happened in Port Macquarie, one of the cities which has been hit by record-breaking flood. At least seven deaths have been reported and more than 50,000 remain isolated.
Don found himself fighting for his life after the animal started punching him on the side of a road.
The man tried to defend himself, but the kangaroo floored him and then forced his head under floodwater.
Don described the encounter as 'pretty traumatic', telling ABC Australia: 'I just remember being under water and kicking and screaming and carrying on.'
He managed to flee as the kangaroo became spooked by an approaching car and ran away.
Kristy Lees witness the whole incident unfold on the Shoreline Drive as she was driving past.
She said: 'The kangaroo leapt at our car and then tried to come at the car.
'Then it saw Don about 30 metres away … and they got into an altercation.
'They started punching each other – the kangaroo started punching him.'
Local wildlife rescue FAUNA's Kym Kilpatrick said when wild animals are distressed – which they would be during a flood event – and perceive a threat they can demonstrate unusual behaviours. More Trending
She urged people to remain cautious in their approach and put their safety first.
Kangaroos are known to sometimes try and drown their foes. It is a rare – but potentially fatal – defensive behaviour.
When threatened, especially by dogs or other predators, kangaroos may retreat into water.
If the pursuer follows, they may use their strong arms to hold the attacker underwater.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
MORE: Flooding in Australia leaves four dead and entire towns underwater
MORE: Missing British student Lewis Jack's body found on Australia's Gold Coast
MORE: Map shows spread of tropical disease Melioidosis that has killed 31 people across Australia
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
5 hours ago
- Metro
Cat named Leonardo da Pinchy terrorises town by stealing people's underwear
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video A cheeky cat called Leonardo da Pinchi has been stealing pants and socks from his neighbours. His relentless laundry raids have made him quite the notorious celebrity in Mairangi Bay, New Zealand. The 15-month-old feline thief has expensive taste too – seeking out silk boxer shorts and thick men's work socks, often with the clothes pegs still attached. He's even stolen a brand-new $300 NZD (£134) cashmere sweater. His criminal life first started when he was let outdoors for the first time last year. The problem has got out of hand for his owner Helen North who struggles to manage her cat's kleptomania. She said: 'My daughter was at home sick and she rang me at work saying, 'It's bad, it's bad, this is the worst thing he's brought in, it's really bad,' she said. 'Because it was beautiful. I was like, 'Ooh, can I keep that?' But I couldn't.' To Helen's horror, the stolen stash just keeps growing – everything from piles of socks, loads of underwear, and even a bizarre five-foot-long stuffed snake. Leo's record so far in one day is nine stolen items. Helen continued: 'He brought in a jersey this morning at ten past eight. The shops hadn't even opened.' Helen has tried everything under the sun to stop his thieving habits including keeping him indoors to leaving out clothes at home for him to steal. She said: 'He only wants stuff that he shouldn't have.' She has no choice now but to post photos of his loot on a local Facebook page, along with an apology and her address. A woman recognised her pink and purple underpants, and a boy was reunited with his missing sports jersey. More Trending One of Leo's regular targets is allergic to cats and she is forced to dry her washing indoors. 'All of our neighbours think he's amazing,' she said. 'Some of them are quite put out that he hasn't actually stolen anything of theirs.' Helen hopes that this is just a childhood phase for Leo and that he will grow out of it. She added: 'I hope he grows out of it because I don't want to do this for like, 15 years. This is a lot of admin.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: You could have the cutest job in the world and become a duck-crossing warden MORE: Zoo kills 12 baboons because there wasn't enough space MORE: Tsunami warnings still in place after 8.8 magnitude Russian earthquake
Metro
5 hours ago
- Metro
Four dead in mass shooting at Montana bar with gunman on the loose
A manhunt is underway after four people were shot dead at a small town Montana bar. The shooting broke out at The Owl Bar in Anaconda around 10.30am on Friday, said the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation. All four victims were pronounced dead at the scene. The suspect was last spotted near Stump Town, which is a short distance west from Anaconda. He is believed to be armed. Details around the shooting were not immediately released by law enforcement officials. Officers searched the suspect's home in Anaconda and he was nowhere to be found. They are hunting for him in the woods. Business owners said they were still under lockdown two hours after the shooting. More Trending 'We are Montana, so guns are not new to us. For our town to be locked down, everybody's pretty rattled,' said Barbie Nelson, owner of Firefly Café. 'It's a small town, so we all probably know someone who was there.' Governor Greg Gianforte wrote on X that he is 'closely monitoring the situation involving an active shooter in Anaconda'. Anaconda is roughly 75 miles southeast of Missoula. Got a story? Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ Or you can submit your videos and pictures here. For more stories like this, check our news page. Follow on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news updates. You can now also get articles sent straight to your device. Sign up for our daily push alerts here. MORE: Moment manhole shoots fire onto street as terrified pedestrians run MORE: Ghislaine Maxwell quietly moved out of Florida prison while seeking Trump pardon MORE: First picture of man, 76, charged after children 'poisoned' at summer camp
Metro
8 hours ago
- Metro
Woman in her 60s found dead at bottom of cliff just hours after couple's bodies
A woman in her 60s has been found dead at the bottom of cliffs below Whitby Abbey. It is the third death in the area in the space of 24 hours after a couple in their 40s died after falling from the cliff. The woman's body was found yesterday just hours after the couple's bodies were found. Her body was found by a member of the public just after midday on Thursday. Emergency services including police, ambulance, coastguard, mountain rescue and lifeboat teams were all called to the scene. Rescue crews were called in to help with the recovery of her body due to the location and she was taken to the lifeboat house. It is believed the woman fell from the cliff shortly before her death. A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said: 'We are investigating the sudden death of a woman aged in her 60s whose body was spotted by a member of the public below Whitby Abbey at 12.53pm yesterday. 'Police, ambulance, coastguard, mountain rescue and lifeboat teams were called into assist with the incident, which is believed to have involved a fall from the cliff. 'Due to the rocky location and high tide, mountain rescue assisted in recovering the woman's body to the lifeboat before being taken to the lifeboat house. 'Enquiries are ongoing to investigate the circumstances for a coroner's report. 'The sudden death is not believed to be suspicious. The woman's family have been informed and are receiving support. More Trending 'Witnesses to the incident or anyone with information that could assist officers, are urged to call North Yorkshire Police on 101 quoting reference number 12250142097.' The police investigation is ongoing before a report will be sent to the coroner. On Wednesday, a couple died after they fell from the cliff by Whitby Abbey. The bodies of the man and woman, believed to be in their 40s, were airlifted from the beach in Whitby as the tide came in. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: You could have the cutest job in the world and become a duck-crossing warden MORE: Influencer found with her 'throat slit by boyfriend' after attack outside cinema MORE: British man dies in Turkey after hair transplant goes wrong
