Hunter Wildlife Rescue has issued a plea to Cessnock City Council to reduce the speed limit in wine country to curb the increasing number of kangaroo deaths in the tourist hot spot.
The call went out following the outpouring of anger after a roadkill roo was staked up on busy McDonald’s Road in the heart of the Hunter’s vineyards.
Cessnock councillor Cordelia Troy described the act as sick and was so mortified, she took down the impaled animal.
Hunter Wildlife Rescue spokeswoman Audrey Koosmen said her organisation receives scores of calls each week from residents and motorists about injured or dead kangaroos in Pokolbin.
“A large buck travelling at 60 km/h hit by a car travelling at 80 km/h is one huge collision and a danger not only to the animal but also to the driver and passengers,” she said.
Cr Troy said reducing the speed limit is not the answer.
“That only leads to revenue raising and impatient drivers," she said.
“Drivers can be aware though through education and realise they must drive to the conditions.
“Do you want to drive at 40, 50 or 60 km/h on country roads?”
Ms Koosmen said dusk and dawn are the danger periods and drivers should sound their car horns if they see kangaroos.
“People get anxious and angry on those roads at Pokolbin and the speed limits should be dropped so we stop killing these poor creatures,” she said.
“I would also like to see more signage out there to let drivers, particularly tourists, know there is a high volume of wildlife in that area.”
Fairfax received a strong response to the report of the propped-up kangaroo on social media last week.
Many readers condemned the act as disgusting and disrespectful.
Some called for those responsible to be held accountable and punished.
Have your say by emailing cessnock@fairfaxmedia.com.au.
