A group of golfers on Springwood golf course alerted the Wildlife Information and Rescue Service (WIRES) after making the grim find about 10.30am, who in turn contacted the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).

“The wallaby’s body was found in bushes near the 14th hole and apart from the gunshot wound to her right hind side, she didn’t appear to have any other signs of trauma to her head or body,” WIRES volunteer Greg Keightley said.

“The body was too badly decomposed to carry out a necropsy, but the local vet who assessed it said he was confident the wallaby had died from the gunshot wound.

“There was a joey, a female about 100 grams in weight, crawling on the ground beside the dead mother.

“It was cared for over the next 24 hours, but sadly died.”

The find has sparked an appeal to the public for information about the shooting, with tough penalties in place for people found guilty of harming native wildlife.

An NPWS spokeswoman said the wallaby had not long been dead when she was discovered and there were no signs she had been dragged or dumped at the golf course.

“It appears the wallaby was shot from behind,” the spokeswoman said.

“We are asking for information about it. Someone will know something, it’s very likely whoever has done this told somebody.”

NPWS Acting Regional Manager Blue Mountains Glenn Meade said all native wildlife was protected in NSW by the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974, and that he was disturbed and angered by the wallaby’s death.

“Like all native Australian wildlife, wallabies are a protected species and it is unlawful to interfere with, harm or kill them,” he said.

“Penalties of up to $11,000 and/or six months jail apply for killing them.

“We are appealing to the public to report any information that may assist in our enquiries.”

Those who may have seen anything suspicious in the area at the time can contact the National Parks office in Richmond on 4588-2401 or WIRES on 4754-2946. Information is treated in the strictest confidence.