Man throws rocks at kangaroos in China zoo to get them hopping

According to the People's Daily, the middle-aged man was filmed throwing palm-sized rocks at kangaroos in Zhuyuwan Zoo in Yangzhou, Jiangsu province, on March 26, 2017. PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM FACEBOOK/@PDCHINA

A man was caught on camera throwing rocks at kangaroos to get them to hop around in a zoo in eastern China, in the latest example of callous behaviour towards animals seen in the world's most populous nation.

According to the People's Daily, the middle-aged man was filmed throwing palm-sized rocks at kangaroos in Zhuyuwan Zoo in Yangzhou, Jiangsu province, on Sunday (March 26).

A witness told the People's Daily that some of the rocks hit the sleeping kangaroos, following which the man gleefully whipped out his phone to photograph the animals.

She added that other visitors asked the man to stop but he justified his behaviour by saying he rarely visits zoos, so he really wanted to see the kangaroos hop around.

Staff at the zoo confirmed the incident.

Netizens unanimously condemned the man's behaviour, with some calling for him to get a taste of his own medicine.

"That selfish idiot should be put in jail and have people throw rocks at him," wrote one commenter.

Earlier this month, a video depicting a teenaged boy attacking two black swans and stomping on their eggs also caused a stir online.

The incident also took place in Yangzhou. The teenaged suspect was later arrested.

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