May
Watch for Western Grey Kangaroo Road Victims
(Indigenous name: Yonga)
It is very distressing to find an injured roo by the road side. It is even more distressing if you hit it. However, nothing is as bad as trying to avoid hitting it and putting yourself and other road users at risk. Make your decision firstly to save yourself and others on the road. Deal with the consequences later in safety. It is not easy to deal with a large injured animal on a busy road. As habitats shrink more kangaroos are coming into built up areas and we are seeing this occurring near the town centre.
None of us like leaving an injured animal, so here are a number of ways to deal with it depending on circumstances and location. If the animal is full grown or a large juvenile, do not approach. It will be very stressed and will bite, scratch and kick hard! If concussed, it may regain consciousness quickly although it appears stunned.
If injuries are obvious, fractured limbs or head injuries, it is kinder to euthanaze on the spot. The only authority to do this is CALM. Ring 9752 5555 at all hours.
Never attempt to pick up and put into your car a concussed adult or large juvenile – not even if you wrap it well and your passenger nurses it. It may regain consciousness at any time and may then be impossible to hold. A wild roo in your moving car is not only scary, it could cause an accident. Unfortunately, this has happened. Not many carers are equipped to handle a large wild roo.
If the roo is dead, it is best to drag it off the road so it is not a traffic hazard. Ring the administration officer or ranger on 9781 0466, who will assist with removal.
If it is a female, check the pouch. Even a furless Joey may be saved and carers will accept it.
To remove it from the teat, gently break suction using your finger to open the mouth, which may be sealed. Then lift the baby out, wrap it – the face as well – in soft warm material and get it to us as soon as possible.
If the Joey is at the stage where it is ‘in and out’ of the pouch, it will be near by its mother and if it weighs 4 kilos or less, it will need to come in for care. Approach slowly and quietly, making a clucking noise and kneel. It may cluck back and come to you. Wrap it securely and hold on if alone. Put it into a pillowslip or bag, tie the top and put it into the boot or on the floor of the back seat of your car for safety.
If you have to catch a Joey, it is best to approach from behind and grasp the base of the tail with one hand and around its body under the front legs with the other. Hold firmly against your body and get someone to cover the head with a bag and secure it well. Even a frightened small animal may kick – so take care.
It is not a good idea to take a Joey home unless you have acreage near forest and/or a local mob. A small back yard is not a place to rear a kangaroo. It takes 2 to 3 years before release to be successful. Take it to a wildlife carer who will know of a perfect home for your rescued sweet, little Joey.
Mabel Bell