About Derby Native Wildlife

Derby Native Wildlife was created by Heidi and Ray Sampey in 2018. Heidi had been caring for wildlife on a smaller scale since 2018, but got her start in animal care when she first left school as a veterinary assistant. She became a licensed carer through the Department of Parks and Wildlife, and the animals kept coming in. Heidi & Ray eventually were able to buy a property where they could create a sanctuary for orphaned and injured wildlife, complete with a medical examination room, joey rooms, and large outdoor enclosures for all of the maturing joeys. The majority of animals at the sanctuary are wallaby and kangaroo joeys, but they also frequently have possums, birds, bats, and even crocs!

As time goes on, they have been able to expand their enclosures, and create areas that are similar to the environment the joeys will be released into in the future. They have created billabong watering holes, small rock mounds, and shady sandy areas. Heidi and Ray Sampey are passionate about rehabilitating wildlife in the Kimberley and will continue to volunteer their time and money to the animals for as long as they can.