Furry friends find new home at Joey and Bat Sanctuary

What does it take to nurse an injured native animal back to health? Baby kangaroos, bats, and possums have been given a new lease on life at the Joey and Bat Sanctuary in suburban Melbourne.

Recently rescued joeys Imogen, Billie and Raisin. Picture: Nicki Connolly

Three’s not a crowd for these rescued joeys, who now spend their days snuggling together in a polar-fleece pouch.

In the wild, joeys of this young age would be entirely dependent on their mothers, and spend all of their time in her pouch.

But these orphaned joeys have the next best thing, with the polar-fleece mimicking the temperature of a real kangaroo pouch.

Julie with joey Raisin at the Joey and Bat Sanctuary. Picture: Nicki Connolly

Imogen, 8 months, Billie Girl, 7 months, and Raisin, 9 months, are all being hand-raised by Julie Malherbe and her husband Francois at the Joey and Bat Sanctuary, in suburban Melbourne.

It’s all hands on deck at this wildlife rehabilitation centre, where the joeys snooze in pouches made by Julie and her friends, and baby animals are handfed from a bottle.

These three joeys are each fed a different milk formula depending on their age, with each containing the right nutrients to ensure each joey grows up to be happy and healthy.

Grey-headed flying foxes Indigo and Teal are survivors from last week’s heatwave. Picture: Nicki Connolly

In addition to the joeys, Julie is currently taking care of three baby possums and six bats.

The sanctuary is entirely dependent upon donations to cover feeding and vet care for the rescued animals.

To find out more, visit the JABS website.