Taronga Western Plains Zoo Taronga Western Plains Zoo 2016

In rather unusual circumstances, Taronga Western Plains Zoo has been caught up in the "man punches kangaroo to save dog" viral video saga, after it was revealed the man is an elephant keeper at the zoo...

The Australian man who was captured on a video punching a kangaroo to save his pet dog was a zookeeper taking a dying friend on a special hunt.

But according to Daily Mail Australia, the man has been identified as Greig Tonkins. He was out on a pig hunt in June to make a dying man's wish come true, and capture a wild boar, when his dog was attacked. Sadly the man, named as Kailem Barwick, lost his long battle with cancer and passed away last week.

There has been controversy over whether the video was genuine, after it was posted to Facebook over the weekend, where it quickly became a global hit.

Daily Mail Australia revealed that Tonkins was employed at an Australian zoo as an elephant keeper. A zoo spokesperson confirmed this, but the zoo in question is now considering 'appropriate action' against him.

"Good animal welfare and the protection of Australian wildlife are of the utmost importance to Taronga. We are working with Mr Tonkins to understand the exact circumstances of the event and will consider any appropriate action."

Tonkins, 34, had joined the hunting group to help his dying friend, Kailem Barwick, catch a wild boar weighing more than 100 kilograms.

One of his friends on the trip defended Tonkins actions, saying that he had thrown the punch to protect his pet.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, the friend said: "The dog wanted no part of it, all it was trying to do was escape from the roo and that's why he stepped in. There's people on social media saying, 'I know men like that, I bet they killed it afterwards', but that's just ridiculous. He only threw the punch to redirect the animal and afterwards there were a few nervous and relieved laughs, and then we just went on with getting Kailem a tonner."

The friend was surprised by Australia's reaction, saying, "The video went viral in America and there was not one bad comment, and then it goes crazy in Australia and there's a whole bunch of outrage."
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The Daily Mail article names the zoo and provides a little more detail: Kangaroo puncher is an animal lover and family man | Daily Mail Online
 
zooboy28 said:
In rather unusual circumstances, Taronga Western Plains Zoo has been caught up in the "man punches kangaroo to save dog" viral video saga, after it was revealed the man is an elephant keeper at the zoo...



The Daily Mail article names the zoo and provides a little more detail: Kangaroo puncher is an animal lover and family man | Daily Mail Online
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The zoo has made a statement about the whole scenario: | Taronga

In other news, the new Savannah Safari, featuring giraffe, ostrich and "two species of antelope" (blackbuck and eland?) opened today, with zebra and white rhino to be added next year: | Taronga
 
I really hope for you guys and gals that it will be African, so no blackbuck .. but something like nyala or what?

Viz comments by management: "Taronga Western Plains Zoo director Matthew Fuller said the Savannah Safari offered unique opportunities to see some African species up close."
 
The zoo confirmed that blacbuck would be in the 'African' savannah back in May. Also, look at the photo in the article: it confirms blackbuck mixed with giraffe!
 
Jabiru96 said:
The zoo confirmed that blacbuck would be in the 'African' savannah back in May. Also, look at the photo in the article: it confirms blackbuck mixed with giraffe!
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I now shrug my face in total disbelief ... (and rest my suitcase on the doorstep) LOL!!!

To my mind: TWPZ has Indian rhino et cetera ..., why not have say blackbuck and axis deer in there. Fits the theme. An African theme: nyala or kudu or whatever other antelope species would be realistically available.
 
Kifaru Bwana said:
I now shrug my face in total disbelief ... (and rest my suitcase on the doorstep) LOL!!!

To my mind: TWPZ has Indian rhino et cetera ..., why not have say blackbuck and axis deer in there. Fits the theme. An African theme: nyala or kudu or whatever other antelope species would be realistically available.
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Blackbuck in the African savannah area is a bit of a cheap cop-out as a stand-in for Impala I dont like the idea but I cant see this changing for some time, The door is now open for imports of Afriacn Antelopes if they so wish!
 
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