A MOTHER has told of the terrifying moment a kangaroo mauled her two-year-old son as he played on their property.

Zakkiah Galea was left bloodied and needing stitches after he was pinned to the ground by the rogue female eastern grey, The Daily Telegraph reported.



The shaken little boy was playing with his wheelbarrow on his parents' 3ha property at Lake Cathie, south of Port Macquarie, when he was attacked by the aggressive animal almost twice his height.

His mother Nicole, who is eight months pregnant, said: "The kangaroo was on top of him. He was pinned to the ground while it clawed at his forearms. I screamed at the kangaroo to get off him but it wouldn't - it just kept on attacking." Mrs Galea said her husband Andrew finally fought the kangaroo off their son before it turned on him and then fled into bushland.

"It was just awful. (Zakkiah) had a bloody face, blood had soaked through his shirt," Mrs Galea said.

"There was a deep puncture in his chest and a gash on the top of his leg.

"He had two large gouges from his mouth to his ear."

The couple rushed Zakkiah to hospital for treatment.

He was sedated before his wounds were cleaned and X-rays taken. The terrified boy received 13 stitches.

"He's OK, just very anxious and nervous," Mrs Galea said.

" He's scared. He says he doesn't want to be attacked by the 'tiger kangaroo'."

It was not the first 'roo attack in the area. Mrs Galea said her neighbours had also been victims of a kangaroo attack last month.

She said there had been more kangaroo sightings in the region in the past year as the animals were pushed towards homes because of a nearby development.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service issued the family with a permit to hire a shooter to kill the kangaroo that attacked Zakkiah.

NPWS area manager Peter Clark said people should be aware that roos were wild animals of substantial size and power and may react instinctively and attack if startled.

"This recent incident highlights the need for people to continue to be aware of the presence and nature of kangaroos," Mr Clark said.

He said, to reduce the risk of kangaroo attacks, people could fence backyards and remove food, shelter and water opportunities for the wild animals.

Setting and turning on sprinklers could also discourage them from gathering.

Creating obstacles or barriers with backyard furniture would also act as a deterrent, he said. "People should not attempt to feed or make contact with kangaroos in any way," Mr Clark said.

Originally published as Boy survives savage mauling by rogue roo