Police and wildlife services were called to Cardinia Reservoir, an hour from the Melbourne CBD, on November 4 following reports that four kangaroos had been shot with a 0.22 caliber firearm.

The gruesome discovery was made by police at around 7am but is believed to have happened after 7.30pm the previous night, sparking outrage from local animal activists.

Wildlife Incident Safe Haven, or WISH, was called to the scene to help remove the birds and said a further three cubs had died as a result of the incident, including two killed by foxes.

The fourth surviving Joey, who has since been christened “Cardi,” was taken to a veterinarian for emergency surgery and is now in the care of an area wildlife carer.

The murder prompted activists to take the rare step of offering their own rewards for information; $10,000 cash reward for information leading to conviction.

Victoria Kangaroo Alliance spokesperson Jane Gibb told the Herald Sun that “cruelty like this cannot be ignored” and that “the community stands firmly against such disgusting behaviour”.

“With generous contributions from horrified community members, we are offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of those responsible,” he said.

The award was jointly raised between the VKA, the Gariwerd Animal Biodiversity Alliance and Kinder World Advocacy and comes at a time when illegal killings are on the rise.

In Victoria, as in most Australian states, it is an offense to “hunt, take or destroy protected wildlife unless in accordance with a license or permit issued under the Wildlife Act.”

However, Ms Gibb warned of a rise in killings, including 100 kangaroos being crushed or shot in an indiscriminate slaughter in Central Victoria in June.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

Originally published as: Activists promise rewards for information on gruesome ‘thrill killing’ after seven people were killed