A young male kangaroo is in care after being shot with a hunting arrow near Queanbeyan.
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The "worrying" attack was brought to the attention of authorities and local rescue group Wildcare on Tuesday following a sighting in a residential street in Greenleigh, just outside Queanbeyan.
The young animal initially appeared to have been shot through the jaw and into the shoulder.
The still-mobile kangaroo took about an hour to tranquillise by rescuers from Wildcare, before being taken to West Queanbeyan veterinary hospital to have the arrow removed.
Initial concerns for the survival of the animal were alleviated when the arrow was found to have missed bone and muscle, and torn only through skin in the shoulder.
Wildcare macropod coordinator Helen Stevens said this was the first case of an animal being shot by an arrow so close to a built-up area.
"It is concerning because it's in Queanbeyan. The fact someone is shooting a weapon is a bit worrying," Ms Stevens said.
She said similar cases involving arrows being shot into native animals have occurred well away from residential streets.
"Usually most of the cases are out in the rural areas, Wamboin and Bywong… We don't like the idea of people out there firing off arrows especially in semi-suburban areas," she said.
Queanbeyan Police Station duty officer Mick Handley said they are looking to identify the person responsible. He said to maim, injure or kill protected wildlife was a criminal offence, as was causing cruelty to an animal.
"If people are using bows and arrows, they're quite entitled to do that, however they need to use the same care and caution as if it were a firearm," Mr Handley said.
"Arrows can travel some distance, they are quite dangerous, whether they be target arrows or hunting arrows they just need to be careful."
Ms Stevens said the weapon had been identified as a hunting arrow.
"It is concerning because it's in Queanbeyan. The fact someone is shooting a weapon is a bit worrying," Ms Stevens said.
She said similar cases involving arrows being shot into native animals have occurred well away from built-up areas.
"Usually most of the cases are out in the rural areas, Womboyn and Bywong… We don't like the idea of people out there firing off arrows especially in semi-suburban areas," she said.
Ms Stevens said although kangaroos can travel, mobs tend to stay in the one area. She expects the hunting took place "not necessarily in the same street, but in that area".
The young kangaroo was "a little bit groggy" after his procedure to remove the arrow yesterday. While the arrow missed bone and muscle, the wound was infected.
Ms Stevens said she took him back to her property in Collector to help him rehabilitate after the incident.
"He would have known [about the arrow]," she said.
"If he was going through bushes and trees, it would have been catching constantly on stuff."
Ms Stevens will keep an eye on the furry youngster for a few weeks before releasing him back into the wild.
"He was an easy target, I'm just glad they weren't a very good shot."
Queanbeyan Police are calling for anyone with any knowledge of the incident to contact Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000. Information can be provided anonymously.