Calls to reduce the speed limit in Pokolbin in a bid to prevent kangaroo deaths have been slammed by the Mercury’s online readers, many calling for a Hunter roo cull.
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Spokeswoman for Hunter Wildlife Rescue Audrey Koosmen receives scores of calls each week from residents and motorists about injured or dead kangaroos in Pokolbin.
Her plea for the speed limit reduction came following reports of a dead kangaroo being impaled on a stick on McDonald’s Road over the Easter long weekend.
Comments on the Mercury’s Facebook page ranged from calls for a cull, to erecting warning signs 500 metres before “roo hotspots.”
Bec Davis has lived in the Pokolbin area for years and said the number of kangaroos has significantly increased since development started on Huntlee.
Tony Beagan said there should be a “mass cull of the pests”.
“I drive on the New England Highway to work (Muswellbrook) and drive a small car and I’m constantly worried about hitting a six foot roo and it coming through the window and it sitting on my lap,” he said.
“Some of the roos I’ve seen on that road are bigger than my car.”
Cheryl Ann Brown said fixing Pokolbin’s “dreadful” roads would be a better idea than reducing the speed limit.
Marie Lowe was sickened reading posts calling for a cull.
“We are the ones who have invaded their natural territory,” she said.
Blake Morgan said reducing the speed limit would not help.
“I would rather hit one doing 90 km/h knowing that it will more than likely die from impact than bump one off at 30 km/h for it to keep hopping off with an injury that will probably later result in death.”
Jay-Dee Gumm said kangaroos were vermin and needed to be exterminated and turned into burgers.
Leanne Caban said kangaroos were seen on just about every road in Cessnock.
“I just recently passed one at 10pm near Aldi,” she said.
