Petting zoo worker 'beaten to death by kangaroo' as owner makes horror discovery

A zoo worker has been battered to death by a after climbing into its pen for a rough-and-tumble. Eric Slate,52, was discovered at 5-Star Farm near Loris, . The Horry County Police Department said on Facebook that Mr Slate was found "located within an enclosure with wallabies and kangaroos of varying ages".

Mr Slate, whose brother owns the zoo, had a "history" of entering the animal's enclosure, according to local media. His body was found in the same place just before midnight on Friday (May 9).

He suffered "multiple blunt force injuries", according to the emergency services. It isn't clear which kangaroo killed Mr Slate.

Male red kangaroos can weigh up to 14.5 stone (92kg) and measure more than two metres in length. Red kangaroos are native to Australia.

Kangaroo killings of humans rarely happen. A kangaroo attack in Western Australia in 2022 came almost 90 years after the last reported fatal incident in 1936.

The beasts are known to have a powerful kick. The most recent victim was a man, 77, who was found with severe injuries at his home in Redmond, 250 miles southeast of Perth.

Police said at the time that he may have been keeping the animal as a pet.

In 1936, William Cruickshank, 38, died of severe head injuries after he was attacked by a kangaroo.

5-Star Farm offers visitors the opportunity to interact with some of its animals, which are said to include camels, wallabies and kangaroos.

In a social media post, owner Robert Slate said: "Please keep my family in your thoughts and prayers."

He added in tribute to Mr Slate: "My brother, my friend, my rock (the last four months). You left us with a smile on your face that won't be forgotten.

"You'd move any obstacle for me, as I will do for you. Your memory will live on. Your voice will be heard and Jack (your buddy, the kangaroo) will be fine."