Roger the ripped kangaroo dies aged 12 after 'lovely long life'

[steven36]

Roger the ripped kangaroo, who sprang to fame when he crushed a metal bucket between his paws with a physique that's made many humans jealous, has died at a Northern Territory sanctuary.

 

Key points:

• Roger has been buried at the sanctuary, where he lived for about a decade
• The owner of the sanctuary described the famous kangaroo as his "best mate" and "son"
• The muscular macropod first became famous for crushing a metal bucket between his paws

 

 

The much-loved alpha kangaroo had millions of fans when he died from natural causes aged 12 at The Kangaroo Sanctuary in Alice Springs.

 

"We have lost our beautiful boy," owner Chris Barns said.

 

"He lived a lovely long life and was loved by millions around the world."

 

For five years Roger was the "boss" at the sanctuary, but in 2016 his years started to catch up with him, Mr Barns said.

 

His eyesight was failing and he was being treated for arthritis.

Mr Barns described Roger as his "best mate" and "son", but said he had only been able to pat the kangaroo as he slowed down around his 11th birthday.

 

"He's an old man now and although still very big and strong, he's an old man and old men don't fight," Mr Barns said in a video posted to social media.

 

"I want his last few years or years to be happy out here in the bush."

 

Roger has been buried at the sanctuary, where he lived for about 10 years after Mr Barns rescued him.

 

"He will always be here," Mr Barns said

 

Source