May 31, 2026 — 1:30pmA wildlife sanctuary operator says he fears for the safety of his family and rescued animals after receiving online threats and hearing midnight gunfire near his property, just days after giving evidence to a NSW parliamentary inquiry probing kangaroo shooting practices.Peter Day, president of Badgerys Creek Wildlife Sanctuary, claims he became the target of intimidation after appearing before an upper house inquiry examining licences to harm native animals and the commercial harvesting of kangaroos.Peter Day, president of Badgerys Creek Wildlife Sanctuary, on his property. He fears for his family’s safety after giving evidence to a senate inquiry.During the inquiry, Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party MP Robert Borsak challenged Day over his calls for stricter welfare practices, including veterinary supervision during kangaroo harvesting operations.Borsak later posted a 27-second snippet of the exchange to his public Facebook page, captioned: “The agenda just doesn’t stop. They’re saying kangaroo shooters need vets to supervise them now?”Screenshots of a post shared on Facebook by NSW Shooters and Fishers MP Robert Borsak.FacebookThe post attracted more than 1200 comments, including comments directed at Day. “Shoot him as well,” one user wrote. Another commented: “This bloke needs one between the eyes,” while others called for Day to be castrated.Within days of the social media post, Day said his family was woken by the sound of high-calibre rifle fire within 150 metres of the sanctuary, which borders South East Forest National Park.“I’ve been here for 12 years and heard shots maybe twice,” Day said. “Then, suddenly, high-calibre rounds are being let off on our boundary late at night. My wife is terrified.”The sanctuary rehabilitates injured kangaroos and other native wildlife, including joeys orphaned after their mothers are shot. Many recovering animals are housed in open paddocks which Day said left them vulnerable to attack.Day had appeared before the inquiry to challenge claims that kangaroo populations were exploding unchecked, telling the committee that kangaroos did not “breed like rabbits” and that population growth was heavily influenced by environmental conditions such as rainfall and drought.The Facebook post triggered more than 1000 comments, many of them aggressive.FacebookHe also advocated for tighter welfare oversight, including veterinary supervision of commercial harvesting operations – comments he believes triggered the backlash.During hearings, Borsak accused Day of disregarding the realities faced by rural landowners.“Isn’t your evidence really about providing no regard at all for the overall population management … that you want nothing to be killed full stop?” he said.Borsak was contacted by The Herald for comment about the post but did not provide a response.Animal Justice Party MP Emma Hurst, who chaired the inquiry, said she was “furious about the lack of regard to witness safety” and described the allegations as “exceptionally serious”.NSW Animal Justice Party MP Emma Hurst chaired the inquiry.