Eric Slate, brother of a South Carolina petting zoo owner, was found dead in a kangaroo pen after allegedly roughhousing with the animal. Authorities noted that Slate, 52, had a history of interacting closely with kangaroos, raising safety concerns. The kangaroo was not euthanized and experts were called to assess enclosure safety. With South Carolina's permissive exotic pet laws, discussions about animal ownership and safe interactions are critical. Local officials expressed sadness over the incident and affirmed it wasnât the animalâs fault as it acted in defense.
The kangaroo is not aggressive and has not been euthanized, Causey added. "It's very sad... It was not the animal's fault," he said.
It just went south," he said regarding Slate's history of roughhousing with the kangaroo, which led to the incident where he was found dead.
Adult male red kangaroos can weigh nearly 200 lbs. and grow up to 5-foot-11 tall, with powerful feet for kicking, posing risks during intimate encounters.
The farm offers an interactive petting zoo with exotic animals, including camels, wallabies, and kangaroos, raising questions on safety and animal interactions.
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