OPINION: Take a closer look, you might save a life

A SURPRISING turn to my morning walk left me wondering what to do, but I wouldn't be alone.

RESCUE: Marian Faa found this adorable joey trying to fend for itself after its mother was hit by a car. Picture: Marian Faa

NONE of us like the sight of a dead kangaroo, but peering a little closer could just help to save a little life.

I learnt the lesson myself when I took a stroll early in the morning and found a dead mumma kangaroo that had recently been hit by a car.

Ignoring the instinct to scrunch up my nose and hurry on, I stopped to have a look at the young mother.

Emerging from her pouch, I noticed a tail and realised there was a little joey still alive inside.

My morning walk became a mini-resuce mission, but I figured I wouldn't be the only one to find myself in this situation.

Warwick wildlife carer Molly Haywood said she was shocked by the number of dead joeys that she was finding because people weren't stopping to check.

"Joeys can survive up to four days in the mother's pouch, it's so important that you have a look even if you can't see a little head sticking out.”

But if you do find a baby hiding away, what do you do next?

TO THE RESCUE: Journalist Marian Faa found this adorable young joey trying to fend for itself after its mother was hit by a car on Glen Rd in Warwick. Picture: Marian Faa

That's the bit that stumped me.

It turns out the response can be quite different depending on the age and size of the joey.

Ms Haywood said the youngest joeys could be the size of a jellybean when they are in the pouch.

When they are really young they can still be attached to the teat and pulling them out could injure their jaw muscles and reduce their chance of survival.

In this case, a wildlife carer will usually cut the teat off the pouch and safety-pin it to make sure the joey doesn't choke on the teat.

If it is a bigger joey that has hopped out of the pouch, it's important not to scare them away into the bush or onto the road.

Ms Haywood said the best thing to do was call a wildlife carer who could come to the scene or talk you through the emergency response.

If you find an injured animal contact a local vet, RSPCA or Molly Haywood on 4661 3337 and 0438 611 343, Leonie on 0408 314 469 or Granite Belt Wildlife on 0418 144 073.

Originally published as OPINION: Take a closer look, you might save a life