Footage of a kangaroo attempting to drown a dog in an Australian river gained widespread attention online, but this incident isn’t the first time a marsupial has exhibited such behavior.
Mick Moloney, while walking along the Murray River in northwestern Victoria, Australia, discovered his dog Hutchy missing. Upon spotting a kangaroo in the river with its arms submerged, he found Hutchy gasping for air and in distress. Moloney waded into the water to rescue his dog, leading to a viral video capturing him confronting the kangaroo, which retaliated with a punch. Despite the unusual encounter on October 12, it represents the latest recorded clash between a kangaroo and a pet dog, with the marsupial seemingly attempting to drown the dog.
Similar incidents have been reported, such as a 2020 case in Brisbane River and a 2014 event in New South Wales, emphasizing the recurring nature of kangaroo-dog confrontations. The behavior stems from kangaroos perceiving dogs as threats due to their resemblance to dingoes, one of the marsupials’ historical predators. Euan Ritchie, a professor of wildlife ecology and conservation at Deakin University, explained that this behavior is an evolved defense mechanism against dingoes, with kangaroos seeking refuge in water to escape pursuit.
Dingoes, Australia’s largest land predators, have historically hunted kangaroos in packs, prompting kangaroos to develop defensive strategies, including attempts to drown potential threats. Graeme Coulson, an expert in kangaroo behavior and ecology, highlighted that male kangaroos, equipped with powerful limbs and claws, may employ force to submerge a dog in water.
Understanding the evolutionary context, Ritchie emphasized that this instinctive behavior has evolved over thousands of years as a defense against predators. He also cautioned dog owners to be vigilant, as kangaroos can pose a threat to both pets and humans, advising responsible pet ownership to ensure the safety of both dogs and kangaroos.
