The daughter of a Sunshine Coast woman who was attacked by a kangaroo on the Fraser Coast says her mum could have died if it were not for those who came to her aid.
Palmwoods woman Dianne has been recovering in hospital with a broken femur, scratches and bite marks since she was attacked by a kangaroo while walking at Maaroom, south of Maryborough, on Sunday.
Dianne's daughter Tanya said her 67-year-old mother was walking past a bush when a female kangaroo with a joey jumped out and started attacking her.
"It jumped straight at her and knocked her over and instead of the kangaroo jumping way it then started kicking mum," Tanya said.
"Mum has covered her face with her hands and tried to cover her torso with her legs, and with her right leg she was trying to kick the kangaroo."
Tanya said two residents heard Dianne's screams for help and were also chased by the kangaroo.
"A lady came out and saw the kangaroo laying into mum — she saw five or six kicks," she said.
"That was after the kangaroo has already probably given mum about five kicks.
"A man came down the road with a big stick, towards the kangaroo, and the kangaroo then decided to chase this man up the road."
Tanya said those at the scene had to stand over Dianne, who was lying on the ground, to prevent it from attacking her again.
"Without them mum would have probably died, because a kangaroo wasn't going to lay off and would have eventually got her in the head," she said.
"Mum said to me on Tuesday it was the most terrifying thing that she's ever experienced in her life."
Dianne underwent surgery on Monday afternoon, has since received a blood transfusion and is experiencing kidney problems.
"They have said she's not stable and she's not out of the woods," Tanya said.
'Unusual' but not unheard of
The family are now calling on the state government to take action after hearing from residents that the attack on Dianne was not an isolated incident.
Long-time Maaroom resident Linda O'Hare said kangaroos were "prolific" in the town.
"We do have seasons where there aren't so many joeys born, but this one's been quite wet so there's a lot of them around," she said.
"The problem a lot of the time is that the joeys get separated from their mothers — one may be on the other side of the road or in another yard and the female kangaroo gets very upset and that sometimes makes her aggressive.
"I know of one situation where a lady went out to check the letterbox and must have gotten between the mother and the baby and the female kangaroo attacked her and another lady who came to her aid."
Ms O'Hare said wildlife rangers hold occasional town meetings to warn people to stay clear of kangaroos.
"I would never suggest a cull because I don't think it's necessary," she said.
"But I think it's just that it's unusual for a kangaroo to attack a person and, as with shark attacks, that's why it's reported so heavily."
'Extremely distressing'
The Department of Environment and Science (DES) says it is working with the Fraser Coast Regional Council following serious attacks by kangaroos on residents at Maaroom in the past year.
"Encounters with aggressive kangaroos can be extremely distressing," a DES spokesperson said.
"The department extends their sympathies to the family and friends of those who have been injured by kangaroos.
"Residents are advised to keep their distance from the kangaroos, to treat them with caution and to retreat if they approach.
"The kangaroos are living in the local area and are thought to be feeding on grass growing in the residents' yards.
"DES has received reports that some residents may be feeding the kangaroos.
"Increased access to natural and human-provided food, including lawns, have likely contributed to increasing the population of kangaroos and [changed] the way in which they interact with people.
"To help manage the population, several kangaroos have been captured and relocated away from the Maroom area."
What to do if a roo attacks
The Fraser Coast Regional Council website said incidents between kangaroos and residents tended to arise after the breeding season.
"Kangaroos and wallabies are an important part of local wildlife and generally live harmoniously within our community," it read.
"At times these animals come into conflict with residents and there are recent instances of attacks by kangaroos or wallabies on residents our region."
The website listed a number of ways to avoid being attacked by a kangaroo.
"If you are approached by an aggressive kangaroo or wallaby you should keep it at a safe distance so that it can't kick or scratch," it said.
"For example, hold up a stick or branch, or stay behind a fence or a tree.
"Turn side-on and protect the front of your body with your arms and keep your head as far away from the animal as possible to minimise the risk of being scratched on the face.
"As a last resort, if you can't escape an attacking kangaroo or wallaby, roll up into a ball on the ground with your arm covering your neck and call for help [and] try to roll or crawl away to a safe place."
