It is common to find a dead mother with a Joey still in the pouch. Joeys have been know to survive up to 10 days inside a dead mothers pouch. If they don't receive help, they die a slow death from starvation and dehydration.

 

Removal of joeys from dead mothers pouch requires extreme care.

 

If the Joey is attached to a teat, Do not try to remove it forcibly as their mouths may be damaged. The Joey should be removed from the pouch with the mother's teat intact. If the Joey is still attached to the teat, use a sharp implement like a knife or scissors to cut the teat so that it remains in the joeys mouth. This will not harm the Joey and will provide some comfort until professional care is found.

 

If you check a pouch and there is no Joey, yet you can identify long teats, there is a possibility that the mother has a Joey at foot. Please check in the vicinity in case this Joey is hiding under bushes.

Always place the Joey in a pillow slip, or similar natural fabric. Place that inside a woollen jumper or beanie. Baby marsupials, especially pinky Joeys,  cannot regulate their body temperature, please keep them under your shirt until passed on to an experienced carer.

Do not try to heat them any other way as often when found they may be cold and temperature needs to be slowly raised or the animal may die.

 

 

Please do not offer anything to eat or drink as marsupials require specialized milks. They are lactose intolerant and cow's milk can be fatal.

 

Caution - Kangaroos & wallabies have sharp claws and teeth and powerful legs!

What do I do if I find an injured adult Kangaroo or Wallaby?

 

Kangaroos and wallabies most often have broken bones and cannot be moved or handled. Please call (07) 4053 4467 and request assistance. If the animal is dead, please check for young.

The capturing techniques vary depending on the size and the condition of the animal. This group of animals is highly strung, stressed and might sustain further injuries if handled incorrectly.

The larger the species are more dangerous to catch and handle. All in all, the capture has to be done in a swift manner to avoid the animal running into obstacles and suffer from heat exhaustion. Large blankets or cloth sacks can be thrown or pulled over the animal.

Smaller species can be lifted up by the base of the tail before placed in a cloth bag or straw filled box. Larger species need to be placed in such a way that the animal won't hurt themselves during transport while kicking around.

In any long distance transport the animal should be placed in a well ventilated box where there is a free room to stand up and turn around. As the animal may try to jump around, the ceiling of the box should be flexible to give way without injuring the head and the neck of the animal. Most of these species are relaxed when placed in a quite and darkened environment.