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Killing a "Boomer", 1850. Creator: Unknown. Killing a "Boomer", 1850. Creator: Unknown
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Killing a "Boomer", 1850. Creator: Unknown. Killing a "Boomer", 1850. Creator: Unknown
Killing a "Boomer", 1850. Kangaroo-hunting in Australia: The native name for the Kangaroo is "boomer" hence the boomerang...the kangaroo is seized on by the dogs, whilst the horseman assists to "stick" him...the dogs closed with him, and we came up as he stood at bay. He was a noble creature, and fought desperately with his fore-paws; a single kick with his hind-feet would have laid any one of the dogs dead. It was a cruel sight to see the poor beast struggling hard for life beneath the bright sky, in his own free deserts; his large and eloquent eyes filled with tears, and his head and shoulders covered with blood...In size it equals a sheep, some of the largest weighing 1401b.; and the flesh is represented by those who have tasted it as being a little like venison. The tail is said to make rich and savoury soup...'. From "Illustrated London News", 1850
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Media ID 36198856
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Animal Cruelty Australia Australian Bush Colonists Cruelty Cruelty To Animals Dramatic Hitting Horseman Horsemen Hunter Hunters Hunting Dog Hunting Dogs Huntsman Huntsmen Kangaroo Killing Marsupial Outback Riders Kangaroos
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EDITORS COMMENTS
Killing a Boomer," an 1850 photograph from the Illustrated London News, captures a poignant moment in the colonial history of Australia. The image, created by an unknown artist, depicts a horseman and his hunting dogs in the outback, engaged in the brutal act of killing a kangaroo. The native name for the kangaroo is 'boomer,' and the hunters used this term in reference to the boomerang-like shape of the animal's hind legs as they thrashed in the air. The kangaroo, a noble creature, stands at bay, defending itself fiercely with its powerful forepaws. The dogs have closed in, and the horseman assists in securing the struggling marsupial. The scene is described in the Illustrated London News as a cruel sight, with the kangaroo's large, eloquent eyes filled with tears and its head and shoulders covered in blood. The kangaroo is approximately the size of a sheep, with some of the larger ones weighing up to 140 pounds. Its flesh is said to be similar to venison, and the tail is believed to make a rich and savory soup. The hunters, likely British colonists, viewed the kangaroo as a game animal, and hunting was a common pastime in the Australian bush. The photograph, with its dramatic and engraved style, offers a glimpse into the colonial past and the complex relationship between humans and animals during this period. It is a reminder of the impact of colonialism on the land and its native wildlife, and the often-cruel practices that were employed in the name of exploration and conquest. Despite the controversial nature of the image, it remains an important historical document, shedding light on the experiences and perspectives of the colonists during the 19th century.
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