“The young family who found the scene were heartbroken and genuinely frightened,” Ms Whitehorse said.
“Those kangaroos were minding their own business on public land – they did not belong to someone to selfishly destroy, they belonged to everyone to enjoy.
“There were big males, mums with joeys in their pouches and joeys at foot – all are dead.”
The offences are suspected to have been committed between 5pm on Friday, June 21 and noon on Sunday, June 23.
The Conservation Regulator works to maintain the health and heritage of Victorian landscapes by educating the community, providing support and guidance in encouraging compliance, monitoring compliance, and acting against non-compliance.
All wildlife, including kangaroos, are protected in Victoria under the Wildlife Act 1975.
It is illegal to hunt, take, destroy, injure, or interfere with wildlife without authorisation and doing so carries a maximum penalty of more than $9870 and-or six months in prison for each offence.
Additional maximum penalties of $98,795 or two years in prison could also apply under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986.
“As there seems to be a couple of ways the kangaroos have been killed, it’s not related to conservation,” Ms Whitehorse said. “It’s just cruelty.”
People are encouraged to report any information about the incident to Crime Stoppers, either by phoning 1800 333 000 or visiting www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
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