A heartbreaking scene along a rural fence line in Victoria has reignited concerns about the dangers of barbed wire fences for Australia’s native wildlife.
A motorist driving through Sutherlands Creek was confronted with a gut-wrenching sight early Friday morning—a mother kangaroo hanging lifelessly from a fence, her body entangled by the neck and foot.
But the tragedy didn’t end there. Inside her pouch was a tiny, helpless joey, too young to survive on its own.
A Battle Wildlife Rescuers Feel They’re Losing
Wildlife rescuer Angela Summer and a volunteer from Bannockburn Wildlife Rescue rushed to the scene, but there was little they could do. The mother had likely been trapped overnight and had already started to bloat—a grim indication of how long she had suffered.
“It was a horrible case,” Angela told Yahoo News. “The joey was just too tiny. It wasn’t viable.”
This devastating incident is not an isolated one. Across rural Australia, these so-called “fence hangers” are a common sight. Kangaroos, in particular, often misjudge their jumps, getting snagged by barbed wire strands.
If not rescued in time, they endure excruciating pain, suffering severe lacerations, broken limbs, or even paralysis from spinal injuries.
One Kangaroo a Day Caught in Fences
Wildlife rescuers are growing increasingly frustrated. Just two weeks ago, a similar case unfolded in Whittlesea, on the outskirts of Melbourne. That kangaroo was luckier—it was found dangling by a foot but was ultimately saved.
But the frequency of these cases is staggering. Michael, another wildlife rescuer, told Yahoo News, “Usually, there’s about a case a day where one’s trapped. It’s heartbreaking.”
The problem, experts say, lies in the fencing itself. Barbed wire, particularly when placed at the top of fences, is a major hazard. Kangaroos can struggle for hours, even days, before succumbing to their injuries.
Landowners Divided on Solutions
While wildlife rescuers continue to advocate for safer fencing, landowners are often hesitant to make changes. Angela suggests simple modifications, such as adding reflective tape or white markings, to make fences more visible to wildlife.
But many property owners don’t see it as a priority. “I don’t know what the solution is,” Angela admitted. “It kind of feels like we’re fighting a losing battle.”
A Property Owner’s Drastic Decision
Not all landowners are turning a blind eye. Doug Gimesy, who purchased a rural property in Wongarra, Victoria, was confronted with the issue on his very first day.
“We moved in, and the first thing we saw was an eastern grey kangaroo caught in the fence,” he recalled.
Rather than accepting the status quo, Doug took extreme action. Over the next 10 months, he painstakingly removed 17 kilometers of barbed wire, working for hours every day to cut and roll up the deadly fencing.
“I literally walked the fence lines of my property twice,” he said. “After realizing I had to remove both of the top wires, not just one.”
Will Anything Change?
Doug’s story proves that solutions exist—if landowners are willing to act. But for every property owner like him, countless others remain unmoved.
Meanwhile, wildlife rescuers continue to race against time, trying to save kangaroos before it’s too late. The question remains: how many more will have to die before real change happens?
