Story Behind Man Punching Kangaroo Is 'Intense'

And perhaps not what it seems
By Jenn Gidman,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 5, 2016 4:29 PM CST

Did a now-viral video of a man punching a kangaroo come out of Australia? Yes, of course. Should we be judging him for it? It depends on how you feel about dogs. The video, which has amassed more than 4.1 million views so far, was first posted on Facebook Saturday by Steven Stubenrauch, who said he got it from a buddy from Down Under. But while the shot to the 'roo's face is indeed cringeworthy, Mashable explains there's a "saga behind it," and it's "very intense." The man in the video, IDed by News.com.au as Greig Tonkins—nicknamed "Goo," meaning this fight could be deemed "Goo vs. 'Roo," as NineNews.com.au astutely notes—was part of a hunting trip in June for a friend named Kailem, who was in bad shape from cancer and wanted desperately to go on a boar-hunting trip with friends.

And so Mathew Amor invited Kailem and some other friends, including Tonkins (who it turns out is a zookeeper), to his New South Wales property for the hunt, and while they were gallivanting about, the featured kangaroo reached out, grabbed Tonkins' dog Max, and put the pup in a headlock. And so Tonkins jumped into action, throwing the punch now seen 'round the world. Everyone turned out to be fine: Amor says Max was startled but OK, the kangaroo was simply "stunned," and Tonkins came away unscathed because he didn't throw that hard of a punch. "It was funny because the guy who did it is the most placid bloke," Amor says. "We laughed at him for chucking such a s--- punch." Sadly, Kailem died last week, but Amor says he'd "be looking down from up there [heaven] and laughing because it was the highlight of the trip." (A cyclist says a kangaroo ruined her breast implants.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X