The Wildlife Rescuers find joey inside dead kangaroo’s pouch on Yan Yean Rd

Wildlife rescuers have captured the moment they pulled a joey alive from the pouch of his dead mother in Arthurs Creek, issuing a plea to motorists to watch out for wildlife. WARNING: Graphic footage.

Wildlife Rescuers carers rescue the joey, that they named Nox, from his dead mother’s pouch.

WARNING: Video below contains graphic footage

A wildlife rescue team in Melbourne’s north has saved a joey’s life after its mother was hit and killed by a car.

The mother roo was left for dead after being struck by a vehicle on Yan Yean Rd in Arthurs Creek on Sunday night.

Bundoora group The Wildlife Rescuers were out the next day checking dead kangaroos when they saw a small head emerge from her pouch.

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Volunteer Andrew Cameron said he felt a whole range of emotions when they pulled the joey named Nox to safety.

“At first you’re shocked to see the condition of the dead mother kangaroo,” Mr Cameron said.

“Then that turns to excitement once you realise you’ve saved a life, but then you become scared about the joey’s condition.”

He said Nox was doing “perfectly fine”, but pleaded with motorists to report animals — dead or alive — laying on the side of the road.

“The sad thing is hundreds of cars would have passed her this morning and no one called her in,” he said.

“We didn’t receive any reports for it, nor did Wildlife Victoria.”

Mr Cameron encouraged drivers to stop if they could, screenshot the address and notify wildlife rescue groups or carers.

“Don’t just assume that someone else will do it — we’d rather receive 10 calls for the same animal than none at all,” he said.

A carer cuddles the joey.

Mr Cameron said the Yan Yean Rd area, from Diamond Creek to Arthurs Creek, had a poor reputation for motorists failing to call in wildlife struck by vehicles.

The find comes after animal rescue groups and carers in the area said this year’s summer had been the worst in memory for wildlife deaths on Nillumbik roads, in particular Yan Yean Rd.

Help for Wildlife founder and volunteer Sue Kirwan said roadworks at the Yan Yean Rd, Diamond Valley Rd and Aqueduct Rd intersection meant animals were panicking and being killed at a “shocking” rate.

While St Andrews wildlife rescue volunteer Stella Reid said she had never seen anything like it in her 30 years of service.

“If you happen to hit an animal, please always check them, especially kangaroos as they may be carrying a joey — it’s better to save one life then none at all,” she said.

Anyone who sees an animal in distress should phone Help for Wildlife, Nillumbik Shire Council, Wildlife Victoria or Wildlife Rescuers on 0417 506 941.

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