A MOTORBIKE thief is on the run after colliding with a kangaroo on the Geelong Ring Road at Highton.

The police helicopter and uniform officers were called in to search for the driver after fears they may have been lying injured in nearby grassland, shortly before 4.30am Tuesday.

Police said the damaged bike and dead roo were left in the middle of the 100km/h road.

Sergeant Andy Harris said it was unusual to see kangaroos on city roads.

“I’ve had them in the suburbs before in people’s backyards but not in the middle of town,” he said.

“Someone’s been driving along come across the motorcycle in the middle of the road and the dead kangaroo and called us.

“Further checks found the bike was stolen.”

It was the second collision involving a kangaroo on city streets in 48 hours after another animal was killed on Fyans St in South Geelong after hopping along Moorabool St on Sunday.

Insurance claim data from RACV shows the City of Greater Geelong is the third-worst area for collisions with animals in the state’s South West region.

Drivers reported 66 collisions involving animals in Geelong and 53 on the Surf Coast during the past financial year.

The top locations are Anglesea, Geelong and Lara.

Jirrahlinga Koala and Wildlife senior keeper James Tyndall said the recent dry spell could have resulted in roos being sent looking for greener pastures.

“It could be the early heat smell, the possible smell of people’s grasses which are still green when it’s dry out in the paddocks,” he said.

“If it’s been hit on the road please call police right away.”