In brief
Don James experienced a shocking duel with a "really muscly" kangaroo while attempting to navigate rising floodwaters, prompting bystanders to intervene. Witness Kristy Lees described how the kangaroo, likely distressed from the severe flooding in New South Wales, seemed to hold James underwater before being startled away.
Kristy Lees was driving with her husband to assess water levels in Port Macquarie's North Shore when they were warned about a large kangaroo nearby. Upon arrival, they spotted a kangaroo as big as their car, which quickly became aggressive, attacking their vehicle. During the chaos, Mr. James became the kangaroo's new focus. In an intense twist of events, the two engaged in what looked like a boxing match until James stumbled and fell into floodwaters. That's when things took a terrifying turn; the kangaroo reportedly tried to hold him underwater. "The kangaroo tried to drown the man," Kristy recalled, as she urged her husband to help. Luckily, the kangaroo became frightened—perhaps by the sound of an approaching vehicle—and released Mr. James, allowing him to escape. James later commented on the traumatic experience, saying, "I just remember being under water and kicking and screaming." Ecologist Graeme Coulson explained that this kind of behavior from kangaroos, although rare, is a defensive instinct when they feel threatened. Interestingly, Mr. James mentioned that he had previously warded off a shark attack just a year prior, jokingly lamenting, "I feel like they're trying to kill me, all these animals." As wild weather conditions continue to wreak havoc across New South Wales, local residents are being warned to stay vigilant, not only against rising waters but also the unpredictability of wildlife caught in distress.
