Man charged over kangaroo attacks

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Australian police have arrested a man for animal cruelty after he allegedly shot two kangaroos with arrows and left them for dead.

The animals survived the attacks, which left one kangaroo with an arrow though its face and another with a shaft piercing its rump for up to a week.

Victoria state police say they arrested a 27-year-old man after raids on two homes in Melbourne's outer suburbs.

They also seized two bows, arrows and camouflage clothing from the homes.

The unnamed man has been released on bail and is due in court on 25 June.

He is charged with four counts of aggravated cruelty, hunting protected wildlife, and reckless conduct endangering life.

Both the animals - dubbed Beau and Hope by animal shelter staff - have had operations to remove the arrows and are expected to make a full recovery.

Wildlife Victoria had posted a reward of Aus$10,000 (US$7,600, £5,000) to find the shooter. There is no word on whether the money was claimed.

The incident comes as the Australian army is culling 6,000 kangaroos near the capital, Canberra, to protect endangered plants and insects. The killings have outraged conservationists.