A KANGAROO has died following a rescue at Aspendale Beach, sparking concern over protecting wildlife at the Edithvale Wetlands where it is believed to have escaped from.
The incident occurred on 4 February when the young male Eastern Grey Kangaroo was found in shallow water at the beach.
According to a Facebook post by local wildlife campaigner Donna Walsh, wildlife rescuers attended to the kangaroo on the beach, but the rescue was made difficult by members of the public who failed to follow instructions “by not keeping back from the kangaroo and putting their dogs on a lead”.
Walsh said the kangaroo, already stressed from navigating traffic to reach the beach, eventually fled toward Nepean Hwy, in the direction of Mordialloc, before being captured on the railway lines.
Once sedated, the kangaroo was assessed by a veterinarian. Puncture wounds from a dog attack were discovered, and the animal’s health was deemed too compromised for rehabilitation.
“This very sad event displays the lack of understanding and compassion from our community to help our wildlife,” the Facebook post stated.
“It also reveals the failure of government authorities who are assigned to protect our precious remaining wildlife… I urge all dog owners to keep their dogs on leads.
“This was a rescue of a kangaroo that could have had a better outcome with him being released back to his mob, but sadly the care was not shown to enable the rescuers to do their job, it’s wrong and heartbreaking.”
Walsh told The News that while she didn’t witness the kangaroo at the beach first-hand her information was gathered by wildlife rescuers involved.
The Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands comprises two separate sites: the Edithvale Wetlands, managed by Melbourne Water, and the Seaford Wetlands, jointly managed by Melbourne Water and the City of Frankston.
A Melbourne Water spokesperson said, “We’re saddened to hear about the injured kangaroo in Aspendale. While a diversity of wildlife inhabits the Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands, we have no information to suggest this animal came from the wetlands”.
Melbourne Water stated it maintained a range of measures to support the small kangaroo population at the Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands, including routine checks of the predator-proof fence.
A Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action spokesperson said, “for safety reasons members of the public are encouraged not to approach wildlife and to keep pets away”.
“Chasing or attempting to catch injured wildlife, even if you are trying to help, will likely result in worse injury and unnecessary stress for the animal.”
The Conservation Regulator has also received a report in relation to the incident.
To report injured or stressed wildlife members of the public should call 136 186 or find a local wildlife rescuer at www.wildlife.vic.gov.au/injured-native-wildlife/help-for-injured-wildlife
The Conservation Regulator assesses all reports of offences against wildlife and anyone with information about wildlife crime should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 18 February 2026
