When you see a kangaroo, wallaby, possum on the side of the road

Your own safety is important. Make sure your car is well off the road. Use your headlights and hazard lights to stay visible to other cars, and to see the animal if it is dark. Drag the animal to a safe area if necessary.

Make sure the mother is deceased & open the pouch

Whether the pouch is tight or loose, it is often better to use a pair of safety scissors to cut the pouch so that you can remove the joey. (You can always transport the mother to a carer who can remove the joey from the pouch if you prefer.)

If the pouch is extremely tight & you need to cut the pouch

Insert your hand (or even couple of fingers) into the pouch and lift the pouch as high as you can. Ensure your fingers are between the scissor blades and the joey (don't cut yourself or the joey!). Cut very slowly with the safety scissors until you can see clearly and have enough space to perform the next step.

Do NOT pull the joey off of the teat

Some joeys have their lips fused and are attached to the teat as they are still forming. Pulling it off will rip their mouth. If it is attached to the teat, cut the teat off the mother as close to the mother’s body as you can.

To remove the joey from the pouch, use your cloth pouch as a glove. Reach in very slowly and gently envelope the joey completely with your hands. Never pull on the limbs or the head (joeys are very fragile and bones can be easily broken or dislocated or may already have fractures or injuries).

Remove the joey and place it into your *pouch*

The joey is probably going to be wriggly so be prepared to put it straight into something to resemble mum’s pouch. This could be a pillow case, or jumper, or anything soft and warm. As you gently take the joey out of the pouch move the cloth pouch up and over the joey. Having the mother’s scent on the cloth pouch will be calming for the joey once it’s in the pouch. If you had to cut the teat, put something like a safety pin through the cut end of the teat so that the joey cannot swallow or inhale it. The joey should release the teat after 3 hours or so on its own. Ensure the body of the mother is dragged well off the road to prevent birds of prey and other animals from getting hit as well.

Keep the joey in the pouch and in a quiet place.

Small furless joeys will need more warmth than larger furred joeys. Furless joeys cannot generate their own heat and will become cold very quickly.They need a safe heat source that they can absorb heat from. If you have a heat source, such as a hot water bottle, wrap it a few times in a towel then put on the outside of the pouch. DO NOT PUT ANY HEAT SOURCE DIRECTLY NEXT TO THE JOEY as it may cause burns or heat stress. Keep checking the temperature regularly by sliding your hand down in the joey’s pouch, feel it’s skin to assess how hot it is. Remember their skin is extremely sensitive. Do not overheat. If you do not have a heat source, your can keep the joey in your shirt. In a loose bra is especially warm and feels safe for the joey as they can hear your heart.

Do NOT feed the joey unless instructed to by a carer.

Joeys can easily get fluid in their lungs. Call your nearest carer and they will ascertain whether the joey needs to be given water and explain how to do it safely. Try to get the joey to an experienced carer straight away as it will need specialized care.

In Western Australia it is illegal to care for native wildlife without a license. Animals must be delivered to a vet or registered wildlife carer. Joeys need feeding every few hours. The faster you can get the joey to care, the better its chances of survival.

If there is no joey in the pouch

If there is no joey in the pouch, look to see if one of mother’s teats is obviously longer than the other. It can indicate she has had a joey recently. It is possible that the joey has been thrown out and it will be either injured or hiding and waiting to return to its mother’s body when it thinks it is safe. Check the area and bushes nearby, keep an eye out for movement and listen for the joey calling.

Find a carer near you

Broome: Jan Martin - Kimberley Wildlife Rehabilitation Inc. Ph: 0428860014

Derby: Heidi Sampey – Derby Native Wildlife Inc. Ph: 0407423006

Derby: Andy Smyth – Derby Native Wildlife Inc. Ph: 0492813995

Fitzroy Crossing: Tamela Vestergaard – Wild Life West Inc. Ph: 0428247276

Kununnura: Mandy Watson – Kangaroo Haven Inc. Ph: 0438921942

Western Australia Wildcare Helpline for all other areas. Ph: 0894749055