See This Aggressive Kangaroo Square Up for a Boxing Match Versus Its Zookeeper

In this startling face-off between a kangaroo and a human, we see the late Malcolm Douglas in an animal enclosure in Australia. Douglas was an Australian wildlife documentary filmmaker and wildlife conservationist. He also knew a lot about kangaroos and felt confident enough in their company to take part in this sort of extraordinary encounter.

Watch the Action Now

What Exactly Are Kangaroos?

Kangaroos are marsupials in the Macropus genus – the name is derived from the word ‘macropod’ which is Latin for ‘large foot’. Marsupials give birth to partially developed young who then continue their development while attached to their mother’s nipples. There are actually four species of kangaroo which are the red kangaroo, the western gray kangaroo, the eastern gray kangaroo, and the antilopine kangaroo.

Kangaroos walk upright on their very long hind legs and have a unique body shape. Their back is arched, they have a comparatively small head but a long tail which helps them to balance. The largest kangaroos can be up to 7 feet tall and weigh 200 pounds. They are very social animals who live in groups called herds, troops, or mobs.

Kangaroos are found exclusively in Australia, Tasmania, and the surrounding islands. Their habitats include savannas, grasslands, and bushlands. Their herbivorous diet comprises grass, leaves, flowering plants, and fruits.

Are Kangaroos Dangerous to Humans?

The Queensland Government in Australia has issued advice on safety around kangaroos. They explain that kangaroos may see us as medium-sized animals that they need to defend themselves against. The authorities also advise that it may be best to deter kangaroos from entering your garden using fences or deterrents and motion-activated lights.

Kangaroos raised in captivity can see humans as a source of food and are not very pleased if they don’t get it. Consequently, they may approach humans and scratch and bite them in an attempt to get something to eat. Kangaroos also use play fighting to assert their dominance and that is probably what we see in this clip. These are large and powerful animals that can hurt humans if they get into a confrontation with them.

It’s always best to keep your distance from kangaroos and move away if they start to become aggressive. If you are aggressive back, this will simply make them feel even more threatened and make the situation more intense. It is particularly dangerous to get in between a female and her young or to go near male kangaroos when they are sparring and showing off to each other.