ROSTOV-ON-DON, Russia  —  Police in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don say three children aged 10 to 12 have admitted killing a 10-month-old kangaroo at the city's zoo.

The kangaroo and several seagulls were killed over the weekend.

Rostov police spokesman Alexei Polyansky said Thursday that the two boys and a girl admitted the killings. He did not say how the animals were killed, but Russian news reports said they were beaten.

Because the children are minors, their parents could be required to pay fines equivalent to the estimated value of the dead animals — $4,300.

The zoo's deputy director, Nina Yevtushenko, said its other seven kangaroos are in a state of shock: "In contrast to people, they feel the pain of their relatives."