The RSPCA says it's "absolutely horrified" by the vision which emerged on Monday showing a quokka being chased and kicked on Rottnest Island.
Two young men have been charged over the video which shows a quokka being kicked on the WA holiday island.
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Man caught kicking a quokka
Shocking footage has emerged of a man kicking a quokka. Warning: Distressing content.
The video, obtained by WAtoday, shows a man in a grey t-shirt and black jeans chasing the quokka around a tree and kicking it at least twice.
The man can be heard saying 'come here you little c***' before kicking it a second time. The kick sends the small animal into a wall.
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It tries to run away from the man before the video ends after nine seconds.
Another man can be heard laughing in the background as the incident is being filmed.
Police have since charged two men, aged 20 and 21, with cruelty to animals. Police will allege the incident happened at about 6pm on Sunday.Â
The quokka has not been found and it is unclear whether it was injured. Local authorities will look out for the animal.
The men have since been evicted off the island.
The 21-year-old from North Yunderup and the 20-year-old Falcon man will appear at Fremantle Magistrates Court on March 13.
RSPCA WA Chief Inspector Amanda Swift told WAtoday she found the vision disgusting.
"We are absolutely horrified by the vision," Ms Swift said.
"This incident can only be described as a disgusting and shameful act of animal cruelty and we are outraged that somebody could do this to a gentle and defenceless animal.
"Western Australia Police are currently investigating the footage and we are confident that justice will be served."
Unfortunately, this is not the first incident to occur on the island.
In 2015, two French tourists who burnt a Rottnest quokka chose to stay in jail rather than pay a $4000 fine – costing Australian taxpayers thousands of dollars.
That incident was also filmed.
The same year a teenager who kicked a Rottnest Island quokka two metres into the air avoided jail and walked away from Fremantle Magistrates Court with a $2500 fine.
And last year another man was also filmed giving vodka to a quokka. Authorities said it could have killed the animal.
Rottnest Island Authority CEO Michelle Reynolds said the group was "actively supporting the Rottnest Island Police and Department of Parks and Wildlife" in its investigations.
"Rottnest is one of the last sanctuaries available in the world for this threatened species. The safety of quokkas and viability of the population is a priority for the authority," Ms Reynolds said.
Rottnest Island, situated about 18km west of Fremantle, is home to about 10,000 quokkas, according to the Rottnest Island Authority website.
The animal is currently ranked as 'vulnerable' under the the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.Â
Anyone who deliberately interferes with wildlife on the island can receive a $150 on the spot fine.
Acts of animal cruelty can also result in fines up to $50,000 and five years imprisonment.
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