Three Australian pupils have been suspended from school as authorities investigate whether they beat a kangaroo to death with a metal pole, police and their principal said Friday.
The animal was found dead in the Great Otway National Park in the southern state of Victoria on September 8, while a school camp was under way in the reserve.
"It is believed that three students were involved," a police spokeswoman said. One of the three, who are believed to be aged 13 or 14, has been cautioned but the other two are yet to be dealt with, police said.
The principal of Torquay College said three pupils had been suspended as police investigate the marsupial's death.
"We can say that if the students did the wrong thing, the school will be deeply upset," school principal Pam Kinsman told ABC Radio.
Animal welfare group the RSPCA said the alleged incident amounted to an act of aggravated cruelty and could carry a maximum penalty of a 28,000 dollar (26,350 US) fine or two years' imprisonment.
"The RSPCA considers this is at the higher end of the spectrum of animal cruelty," Greg Boland, RSPCA chief inspector in the state of Victoria, told AAP news agency
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