WIRES: What to do if you come across an injured kangaroo or joey

A kangaroo hopping across the Sydney Harbour Bridge earlier this year confirmed every tourist’s dream of regularly seeing kangaroos on our suburban streets. Unfortunately, due to the ongoing drought kangaroos are increasingly heading closer to the city in search of food and water.

An Eastern Grey kangaroo joey rescued by WIRES. Picture: WIRES

The footage of a kangaroo hopping across the Sydney Harbour Bridge earlier this year was picked up by the media around the globe and confirmed every tourist’s dream of regularly seeing kangaroos on our suburban streets.

In fact, we do have numerous kangaroo and wallaby colonies living quite close to the city in bushland areas on the north shore, southern coastal regions and the fringes of the western suburbs but they are rarely seen outside of their habitat.

A rescued Swamp Wallaby joey being bottle fed by a WIRES carer. Picture: WIRES.

Unfortunately, the ongoing drought, which is predicted to worsen this summer, is impacting greatly on these and many rural colonies and they are now being forced into residential areas in search of food and water. This is bringing them into much closer contact with humans and we need to remember that like all wild animals they can be unpredictable.

Recent media reports of members of the public being seriously injured while attempting to feed or rescue kangaroos are timely reminders to always be cautious around native wildlife. WIRES advises against feeding any kangaroo unless you are a trained volunteer as it can cause them to quickly lose their natural fear of humans.

Police corner a small kangaroo that was seen on the Harbour Bridge in January this year. Picture: John Grainger

The drought conditions have also resulted many more road incidents this year as kangaroos are more frequently crossing our roads and highways in the hunt for food.

If you see an injured kangaroo on the side of the road please take note of the exact location and call WIRES rescue line on 1300 094 737 for advice and assistance. If you see a lost or orphaned joey, pull over when safe to do so, gently wrap it in a towel to keep it warm and take it to the nearest vet.

We always remind members of the public to please never try and raise a joey at home as they susceptible to a number of life threatening medical conditions and require a special milk formula to have any chance of survival. Native animals in Australia are also protected by law.

Kangaroos hopping across the road. Picture: WIRES.