The RSPCA is investigating reports of a second kangaroo at Morisset injured with an arrow, after the organisation’s inspectors euthanized a kangaroo with a crossbow bolt through it’s head on Tuesday.
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A spokeswoman for the RSPCA said a sighting of another animal, this one with an arrow in its neck, was reported to inspectors on Wednesday.
“Unfortunately, this one has not been found as yet,” she said.
“They were back out there yesterday with quite a few people looking for the roo.”
The RSPCA has been working collaboratively with police and animal welfare groups to find and tend to the injured kangaroos, she said.
The Native Animal Trust Fund resumed the search for the injured marsupial on Thursday.
Hunter Wildlife Rescue volunteer Ann Morgan said she was notified of the sighting by Morisset Hospital staff at 8.30am on Wednesday morning.
According to Ms Morgan the animal was seen just outside hospital lands near the bridge across Permalong Creek.
There are no photographs of the injured animal.
“It was seen by someone who was working on the gates at the hospital in exactly the same area where the first one was,” she said.
“We had a brief look yesterday morning but saw nothing. Inspectors, myself and another carer went down yesterday afternoon and had a thorough search.
“It could have gone to ground, which means it could have already gone down and we can’t see it. We are looking at a number of kangaroos.”
Ms Morgan said another wildlife carer from the organisation would return to the site on Thursday.
“She’ll sit very quietly with binoculars this morning. People have been there so the kangaroos are on alert. They’re a bit nervous, it just makes it a bit more difficult.”
A security guard at Morisset Hospital spotted a kangaroo with a crossbow arrow through its head on Sunday morning.
Police and animal welfare groups were called in to find the female roo. An RSPCA inspector euthanised the animal on Tuesday.
Hunter New England Health announced in late November that it would be restricting access to Morisset Hospital due to health and safety concerns.
The functioning mental health hospital had become a popular destination for tourists wanting to see kangaroos.
The hospital’s main gate is now permanently locked.
Hunter New England Health said custom-built gates would be installed in March or April with swipe card access, intercom and video cameras for staff.
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