RESCUE ME

What to do if you find a Macropod/Wallaby/Kangaroo in distress.

Contact the 24-hour rescue hot-line immediately on 0414 717 374

They can guide you on steps to take if you find an injured or distressed animal.
Check for signs of life (if still alive please wrap the animal up cover its head and take it to the nearest vet or call the wildlife hotline 0414 717 374

• If the animal is unresponsive please check for a joey in the pouch and look to see if it is still attached to its mother’s teat. Do not remove the joey from the teat if mum is still alive, if you can take them both to the closest vet if possible (this is the best scenario for both the mother and the joey.) removing a joey from a live kangaroo will cause stress to both animals.
• What if there is a joey in the pouch and the mother is dead
  Removing a joey from its dead mother is also very dangerous for the joey.
  If the mother is dead please still try and take her to the vet with the Joey in her pouch, but, if you can’t then the joey will need to be removed from the pouch / please call your nearest wildlife rescue group as they have the skills to ensure the best outcome for the joey / If you are out of range please remove the joey from the teat carefully.
  proceed with caution.
• If the joey is still in the mother’s pouch and attached to the teat do not pull the joey from the mother’s teat as this will damage the joey, they are suctioned onto mum and the action of pulling from the teat could possibly kill or damage the joey making it unable to feed.
  Cut the teat with scissors or a knife close to the mother’s body so as not to damage the Joey. If you can safety pin the teat to the bag or cloth you use. Wrap Joey in a towel or place them in a cloth bag keep them close to your body to keep them warm and take Joey to the closet vet
  Inform the Wildlife hot-line as soon as possible / call us on 0414 717 374 if you are Townsville area

Special care
Stress is a major factor in a poor outcome for captured wildlife, it is most important to keep the animal warm, and in a quiet environment away from other animals’ children and noise.
Do not attempt to feed or take them home as a pet, cow’s milk is TOXIC for our wildlife.

Macropods require special Macropod milk formula to survive, and a special grade depending on their size
Incorrect feeding will kill them, send them blind or make them unable to thrive. Causing much stress and harm to the animal.
Stress and incorrect feeding are major killers of rescued or kept Macropods.

For any information on rescuing / rehabilitating a Macropod please call us at NQ Wildlife Care on 0414 717 374
if you are interested in becoming a carer also please get in touch
we provide training and resources for our carers.