A wallaby found with an arrow through its body near Austins Ferry is one of at least five cases of wildlife being shot with arrows or darts across southern Tasmania in recent weeks.
Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary director Greg Irons said the Austins Ferry wallaby was the second arrow attack reported to the sanctuary in a single week, with another case at Clarendon Vale and a further incident at Oyster Cove a few weeks prior.
A pademelon was also found with a dart in it in Lenah Valley a couple of weeks ago.
“This is probably the worst spate that I’ve seen in my history,” Irons told Pulse.
At least five cases of wildlife shot with arrows or darts have been reported
He said the wallaby was still moving well because its legs were not affected, making it extremely difficult to catch.
“For that poor animal, it’s gonna be in pain every step that it takes, every time it bends down to eat and it’ll likely just die of infection,” he said.
Irons called hunting with a bow and arrow in Tasmania illegal and barbaric
Irons said hunting with a bow and arrow is illegal in Tasmania and called for tighter restrictions on sales.
“We need to try and not have these things as easily accessible where you can just walk into camping shops and buy them,” he said.
He urged anyone with information to come forward, saying wildlife rangers treat such cases seriously and will pursue forensic investigation if the animal is recovered.
“Whoever that is, he’s got a couple of mates who know that he did that and if they’re horrified by that, which they should be, then report it,” Irons said.
Wildlife rangers will pursue forensic investigation if the animal is recovered
“If you don’t speak up, then you’re part of the problem.”
Irons said the issue went beyond animal welfare, warning that a person reckless enough to fire arrows at wildlife posed a danger to people too.
“A bow and arrow, that could be a human on the other end of that,” he said.
“No animal should be shot with a bow and arrow, it’s just barbaric.”
Wildlife rangers will pursue forensic investigation if the animal is recovered. Image / Pulse
He said he hoped this latest case was an accident, but it was likely not.
“It’s all about having a heart and at the end of the day … that’s what makes us human, is having compassion,” he said.
“Hopefully someone reflects on that.”
“Hopefully it was just a horrible accident and something they’ll learn from and never, never happens again.”
The sanctuary is monitoring the injured wallaby in hope it slows down enough to be caught and treated before it dies.
Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary provides care to injured, orphaned and displaced animals and works to safeguard biodiversity and animal welfare.