How to Rescue a Kangaroo Joey
A joey can survive for several days in the pouch of its dead mother.
If you see a dead kangaroo on the side of the road (road kill), before checking to see if there is a joey in the pouch.
Your personal safety is important. Do not put yourself in danger.
Park well off to the side of the road in a safe position and visible to traffic in both directions.
If you have children with you, please make sure they stay in the vehicle.
Never go onto the road unless there is no traffic coming from either direction.
Pull the dead animal well off the road.
Check to see if it is male or female by looking for either testicles or a pouch - both are located in the lower stomach area.
If it is a female and has a joey in the pouch, this is usually visible unless it is a very small joey. If not sure there is a small joey in the pouch place your hand over any small lump you can see and gently feel it.
When removing the joey from the pouch remember that it may have sustained injuries that you cannot see. So be very very careful. Kangaroos very rarely show pain.
If the joey is still suckling on the teat DO NOT pull it off.
If it is a furred joey, gently try to ease it off the teat.
If it is a furless joey (pinky) cut the pouch open down the side from the inside. Be very careful not to cut the joey. Cut the teat off at the base. It is best to use scissors or a knife.
Tie the end of the teat off with a piece of string, shoelace or even a safety pin to pin it to whatever you are going to wrap the joey in. The baby will eventually release the teat. Do not try to pull the teat out of the joey's mouth.
Gently wrap the joey in something soft (a tee shirt, tea towel, bath towel or in a pillowcase etc.). Be careful in case the joey is injured.
It is very important to keep the joey warm but not over heated.
Cold is the biggest killer at this stage. If you feed a joey when it is cold, it will die.
The best place to are for the joey is down your shirt/jumper or, if you have any passengers have one of them hold the joey.
Make sure the radio is turned off and keep the joey in a quiet, dark and warm environment.
Do not try to feed the joey as it is very easy to drown it if you force feed.
If you are concerned that the joey is dehydrated as the mother has been dead for sometime, wet your finger with a little water or any sports drink (Powerade, Gatorade etc.) and dribble over its lips. Do this every 20 to 30 minutes.
At the next town, roadhouse or Police Station ask for the local wildlife carer or call SOWFI on (08) 7120 6610.
Once you hand the joey on, give yourself a big pat on the back and enjoy the feeling of knowing that you have saved the life of one of our beautiful kangaroos.
Do you love helping our wildlife? There are many ways you can help, including phone operator, administrative duties, collecting leaf for carers or even volunteering to be a wildlife carer yourself! Contact us and let us know what you would be interested in doing.
It is illegal to keep and raise most Australian wildlife (including kangaroos) without a Wildlife Carer's licence and/or permit. Please contact the appropriate government department in your State or Territory for more information.
If you see a dead kangaroo on the side of the road (road kill), before checking to see if there is a joey in the pouch.
Your personal safety is important. Do not put yourself in danger.
Park well off to the side of the road in a safe position and visible to traffic in both directions.
If you have children with you, please make sure they stay in the vehicle.
Never go onto the road unless there is no traffic coming from either direction.
Pull the dead animal well off the road.
Check to see if it is male or female by looking for either testicles or a pouch - both are located in the lower stomach area.
If it is a female and has a joey in the pouch, this is usually visible unless it is a very small joey. If not sure there is a small joey in the pouch place your hand over any small lump you can see and gently feel it.
When removing the joey from the pouch remember that it may have sustained injuries that you cannot see. So be very very careful. Kangaroos very rarely show pain.
If the joey is still suckling on the teat DO NOT pull it off.
If it is a furred joey, gently try to ease it off the teat.
If it is a furless joey (pinky) cut the pouch open down the side from the inside. Be very careful not to cut the joey. Cut the teat off at the base. It is best to use scissors or a knife.
Tie the end of the teat off with a piece of string, shoelace or even a safety pin to pin it to whatever you are going to wrap the joey in. The baby will eventually release the teat. Do not try to pull the teat out of the joey's mouth.
Gently wrap the joey in something soft (a tee shirt, tea towel, bath towel or in a pillowcase etc.). Be careful in case the joey is injured.
It is very important to keep the joey warm but not over heated.
Cold is the biggest killer at this stage. If you feed a joey when it is cold, it will die.
The best place to are for the joey is down your shirt/jumper or, if you have any passengers have one of them hold the joey.
Make sure the radio is turned off and keep the joey in a quiet, dark and warm environment.
Do not try to feed the joey as it is very easy to drown it if you force feed.
If you are concerned that the joey is dehydrated as the mother has been dead for sometime, wet your finger with a little water or any sports drink (Powerade, Gatorade etc.) and dribble over its lips. Do this every 20 to 30 minutes.
At the next town, roadhouse or Police Station ask for the local wildlife carer or call SOWFI on (08) 7120 6610.
Once you hand the joey on, give yourself a big pat on the back and enjoy the feeling of knowing that you have saved the life of one of our beautiful kangaroos.
Do you love helping our wildlife? There are many ways you can help, including phone operator, administrative duties, collecting leaf for carers or even volunteering to be a wildlife carer yourself! Contact us and let us know what you would be interested in doing.
It is illegal to keep and raise most Australian wildlife (including kangaroos) without a Wildlife Carer's licence and/or permit. Please contact the appropriate government department in your State or Territory for more information.
