Roger (kangaroo)

Roger
SpeciesRed kangaroo
SexMale
Bornc. 2006
Northern Territory, Australia
Died8 December 2018(2018-12-08) (aged 11–12) (death announced on this date)
The Kangaroo Sanctuary
Alice Springs, Australia
Known forMuscular physique

Roger (c. 2006–2018) was an Australian red kangaroo best known for his muscular physique.[1]

Life

Roger was rescued as a joey by Chris 'Brolga' Barns after Roger's mother was killed by a car.[2] Barns started the Kangaroo Sanctuary[3] on 188 acres (76 ha) in Alice Springs to house and protect Roger and other roos, including Roger's mates. Barns stated following the announcement of Roger's death that "Roger was the sanctuary's alpha male for many years".[4] Roger grew to be 6 feet 7 inches (2 m) and around 200 pounds (91 kg).[5] In videos Roger can be seen chasing Barns, who, like all other males, Roger saw as a threat to his harem.[6]

Roger first came to fame in 2015 in a video that went viral, showing a bucket he was said to have crushed.[7][8] In 2016, Barns announced that Roger was suffering from arthritis.[9]

Death and reaction

Barns announced Roger's death on 8 December 2018. Roger, also known as "Ripped Roger" and the "Jacked Kangaroo",[10] was 12. Upon hearing of Roger's death, Australian singer Natalie Imbruglia said "He always brought a smile to my face. Such a proud strong boy",[11] and Tourism Australia called him a "true icon".[12][13] The cause of death was reported as "old age".[14]

References

  1. ^ Marshall, Gary; Springs, Source: The Kangaroo Sanctuary Alice (10 December 2018). "Remembering Roger the ripped kangaroo – video obituary". Retrieved 10 December 2018 – via www.theguardian.com.
  2. ^ "Roger the Ripped Kangaroo Dead at 12". TMZ. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  3. ^ "The Kangaroo Sanctuary". The Kangaroo Sanctuary. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  4. ^ Roger the kangaroo has died at Australian sanctuary — CNN
  5. ^ "The Kangaroo Sanctuary Alice Springs". Facebook. 2017-05-11. Retrieved 2019-09-25. My beautiful baby boy Roger when he was younger. He is 2 metres (6 foot 7) when he stands tall and weighs 89kg. Roger is retired now at 11 years old.
  6. ^ Roger, the famously ripped kangaroo, has died after a 'lovely, long life'
  7. ^ "RIP Roger the enormous kangaroo". 10 December 2018. Retrieved 10 December 2018 – via www.bbc.com.
  8. ^ "200-pound ripped kangaroo crushes metal". CNN. Retrieved 10 December 2018 – via YouTube.
  9. ^ "Roger, the internet's favorite buff kangaroo, has died". NBC News. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  10. ^ "Famous musclebound kangaroo named Roger dead at 12: report". The Sun. 10 December 2018. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  11. ^ Christine Flatley and Stuart Layt (10 December 2018). "Buff boxing kangaroo Roger dies of old age". Newcastle Herald. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  12. ^ "Roger, the ripped kangaroo and 'true icon,' has died". 10 December 2018. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  13. ^ Sutton, Caroline (10 December 2018). "Viral buff kangaroo 'Roger' has died at the age of 12". www.kxxv.com. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  14. ^ Layt, Christine Flatley and Stuart (10 December 2018). "Buff boxing kangaroo Roger dies of old age". Bombala Times. Retrieved 10 December 2018.