Americo Spinapolice, a barber at Narrabundah, told The Canberra Times he had seen six dead kangaroos on the road that year, where it passes through red hill.

A photo of one marred the front page of the Times in what would have been an unfortunately familiar sight for local readers.

"'There are no road signs to warn the motorists that there are kangaroos in the area,'" Mr Spinapolice said in a story on the front page.

"'All there are are signs that you can drive at 80km/h, so nobody expects the kangaroos to jump out.'

"'I want to make the government or somebody put up signs so that the motorists will know about the kangaroos and stop killing them.'"

Mr Spinapolice had previously gained national attention for his affinity with kangaroos, when he presented the visiting president of Italy, Giuseppe Saragat, with one 10 years earlier.

The kangaroo, named Cico, wound up back in his possession, and eventually joined a flock at Government House.

See: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/12376781