How roo-de! Campers are woken up by a large male kangaroo enjoying a banana in their tent - but they can't figure out how he got in
Footage shows terrified campers waking up to a brazen kangaroo eating some of their food inside the tent at 3am.
Stephanie Jones and her family were camping at Arrawarra Headland in New South Wales on November 18 when they were woken up at witching hour to a kangaroo scurrying around.
The pair initially thought it was their teenage son who was making all of the ruckus but were shocked to find it was instead a wild marsupial.
The kangaroo was spotted munching on a banana in the tent after waking up the couple
'We woke up to find this giant and very strong male kangaroo who had knocked over items in our camper trailer kitchen,' Ms Jones told Storyful.
Careful not to spook by their unwelcome visitor, Ms Jones ordered her husband to open the tent so they could evict the kangaroo.
The kangaroo appeared to have other ideas and continued munching on the banana.
So Ms Jones brandished a bottle of alcohol that was sitting nearby and began yelling at the roo while her husband tried to push him away with a broom.
The pair eventually succeeded in pushing the kangaroo out of their tent
The broom appeared to be effective, with the kangaroo eventually hopping outside, leaving the couple to discuss what just happened.
'We have no idea how he managed to unzip the camper trailer door only about a foot to get in,' Ms Jones said.
'The kangaroo had been hanging around nearby campsites scavenging for food earlier that night and when approached had lifted onto his tail as though to kick.'
When do kangaroo attacks occur:
The risk of being attacked by a kangaroo is very low. Several thousand people seek medical attention each year for injuries from domestic pets, while fewer than five people in NSW are treated for kangaroo-related injuries.
The greatest risk is in areas where people have altered kangaroos' natural habitat and feeding patterns.
Kangaroo attacks may occur where:
• their numbers, movements and group structure have changed because kangaroos’ natural predators are no longer present, or new habitat has been provided with the creation of dams, shelter and pastures
• kangaroos have lost their instinctive fear of humans because people have fed or handled them
• a kangaroo sees a person as a sparring partner or threat to themselves, their offspring or their dominance of the group
• a kangaroo is cornered or startled • female kangaroos are weaning their young • a habituated kangaroo (a kangaroo who is used to people) has aggressive traits.
A kangaroo will attack a person as if they were another kangaroo. It may push or grapple with its forepaws or sit back and kick out with its hind legs. As resulting injuries can be serious, avoiding conflict with kangaroos is vital.
Source: Office of Environment and Heritage