WATCH FOR ROOS ON ROADS

ANIMAL rescuers are pleading with people to slow down on Surf Coast roads during the full moon this weekend, with 15 kangaroos and two wallabies killed in 24 hours during last month’s full moon.

Surf Coast Animal Rescue’s Jason Cichocki said more kangaroos and wallabies were killed during a full moon than at any other time.

“Last month was the worst full moon I’ve seen in a while, we would normally see five to seven wallabies killed in 24 hours during a full moon,” he said.

A full moon begins tonight and will last for about four days.

Mr Cichocki said kangaroos and wallabies were more active during a full moon because the light made them feel safe.

He urged people to slow down while driving at night to prevent injuring wildlife, themselves and damaging their car.

“If you are travelling in an area prone to kangaroos, drop your speed so that in the event a kangaroo jumps out in front of you you’ve got time to stop,” Mr Cichocki said.

“If you travel at 60 you’ve got much more of a chance to lock down your speed and stop than if you’re travelling at 80, you don’t have to go as fast as the speed limit.”

Mr Cichocki said Forest Rd, Anglesea, and the “mad mile” between Bellbrae and Anglesea on the Great Ocean Road were hot spots for kangaroo deaths, with about 400 kangaroos a year being killed on the mad mile.

If you do hit a kangaroo or wallaby or find one injured, call the Surf Coast Animal Rescue 24/7 help lines 0422 048 557 or 0404 912 856.