FURY AT STRADDIE WALLABY WHACKER
Staffer sacked after brutal attack in front of diners
RSPCA officers are investigating after a tame wallaby was allegedly bludgeoned to death in front of shocked diners at a South Stradbroke Island ecoresort last week.
It is believed the marsupial was looking for food in a bin near a restaurant at Couran Cove Island Resort when a security guard attacked it, bashing it with a wooden implement at the door of the venue before dragging the bloodied carcass into the bush.
Couran Cove Island Resort is promoted as an ecofriendly destination surrounded by “natural bushland and wildlife” where wallabies live “as friends”.
The slain wallaby is understood to be one of many tame wallabies known as a “pets” to the full-time residents.
Island sources said two groups of diners were eating dinner when the native Australian animal was killed in front of them.
“It’s just out and out murder,” one source said.
“People are saying (the security guard) just hit it with the bat and then dragged it into the bush.
“Two sets of diners were there and there was blood left on the path.
“Everyone on the island is talking about it.”
It is believed two female wait staff had to be escorted home after their shifts because they were traumatised by the incident.
“I heard they couldn’t walk home alone that night and had to be escorted,” a source said.
A spokesman for RSPCA Queensland confirmed the incident at the conservation park was being investigated by animal protection officers. Couran Cove director Lachlan McIntosh confirmed there had been an “incident at Couran that resulted in the death of a wallaby”.
“The staff member involved was summarily dismissed upon us being notified of the incident,” he told the Bulletin yesterday.
“A formal report and investigation into the incident is being completed.
“This report will be presented to the RSPCA.”
Mr McIntosh said the incident had been “very distressing” and the man allegedly involved was “sent on the next boat off the island”.
Couran Cove staff are expected to meet with the RSPCA in the coming days.
“All of our wallabies are tame and are wonderful friends of the resort, our staff and guests,” Mr McIntosh said.