Since I alerted readers to the drought-crazed, starving kangaroos wreaking havoc in the vicinity of Canberra, Australia, you've all doubtless been awaiting an update.

So here it is.

Hired hitmen have completed the "cull" of 800 roos at Googong Dam successfully, protestors notwithstanding.

Good job, lads.

The marsupials had been snarfing up grass, mucking about, and causing major soil erosion right into the dam, polluting the water supply for Canberra. They'd been reported behaving aggressively toward people and pets, as well.

And reports of rampaging roos persist. One drowned a dog, a second "savaged" a woman, and a third attacked another victim, although her dog gets some of the blame.

It seems domesticated roos are far more loving toward humans, and will even save their lives, as this story indicates. Perhaps if the drought continues, more Aussies should consider adopting roos. You'd need a large yard, huh?

I want to know, where exactly are the protestors of the cull near Googong Dam on this? If they don't want roos overrunning the suburbs of Canberra, why don't they each take one home?

Only problem: roos are up to five-and-a half-feet tall and can weigh as much as 154 pounds. Could get expensive to feed 'em, especially with a few teenagers in the house already. Then again, animal rights protestors don't usually have children, do they?

Anyway, I guess I'm lucky. Here in the wilds of West Seattle, we've got occasional racoons and wasps, but that's about it, as far as unwelcome critters go.

Posted by Matt Rosenberg at August 12, 2004 01:30 PM

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