A visitor to the Canunda National Park, 13km southwest of Millicent, reported the distressed western grey kangaroo.

Natural Resources South East district manager Ross Anderson said staff found the marsupial and assessed its injury.

“The damage inflicted by the arrow was too great to have been able to heal properly, and the kangaroo would have been in a great amount of pain,” he said.

“Unfortunately we had to euthanise the kangaroo.”

He warned the community that it is illegal to kill or injure a protected animal.

“Hunting in National Parks is illegal, for the safety of our native animals and for the safety of other park visitors,” he said.

“This particular incident constitutes animal cruelty and is a significant breach of the Animal Welfare Act 1985.”

The maximum penalty under the Animal Welfare Act is $50,000 or four years imprisonment, and $2,500 and six months imprisonment under the National Parks & Wildlife Act.

If you have information about this incident, witness any illegal hunting in parks, or come across an injured animal contact the Natural Resources Centre on 87351177.