Saturday Show‑down: A Broom, a Shovel, and a Giant Kangaroo
What happened
In the Darling Downs, a 64‑year‑old wildlife caretaker, Linda Smith, found herself in the middle of a wild encounter – literal and figurative – when a sizable kangaroo decided to take a bite out of a family dinner.
- The bouncer was a massive male, at least six feet tall (about 1.8 m).
- Linda’s husband, Jim, was handing out treats when the roo started circling.
- While Linda raced outside with a broom and a slice of bread, the roo deftly swatted the broom away and went after her.
- With a piece of wood in hand, Linda fought back, and their 40‑year‑old son followed suit, hitting the brontosaurus‑style marsupial on the head with a shovel.
After the kangaroo hopped back into the bush, the family was left with a series of injuries, including a collapsed lung, broken ribs, and a whole lot of bruises. Linda had to undergo surgery Sunday (14 Oct) after the off‑court action on Saturday.
What the experts say
Stephen Jones, Senior Operations Supervisor for Queensland Ambulance Service, described the attack as “rare” – a fresh chapter in his 30‑plus‑year career. “Large males can be vicious, but this was uncommon,” he told AFP.
Jones added that Linda’s quick thinking could have turned out far worse. “If she hadn’t jumped in, Jim might have suffered even more serious wounds or worse,” he warned.
Linda’s perspective
Linda, who’s been a wildlife caretaker for 15 years, doesn’t want a kangaroo in this story to end up on a hunter’s hook.
“I love animals; I always respect that we’re dealing with wildlife. I keep my guard up, especially with the males during breeding season. I don’t want this roo in danger.”
Yes, the roo was somewhat aggressive – “inged to get blood pressure.” But Linda was no stranger to the unpredictable wild. She’s ready to defend her family in a haywire showdown like this – proving we still have moments of drama beyond the usual pet store and the five‑minute make‑up routine.
Australia’s Kangaroo Controversy
Last year, a government census counted over 46 million kangaroos. But conservationists worry about declining numbers amid a long drought affecting the eastern parts of the continent. That leaves the question: Will the next family have a plus‑one on their porch?
