Wildlife carer laments unwitting animal cruelty of people trying to keep native animals as pets

A wildlife carer has described her heartbreak at having to put down an orphaned joey, as she warns against trying to keep orphaned wildlife as pets. SEE THE VIDEO FOR HER TOP TIPS >>

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MEMBERS of the public are unwittingly torturing orphaned wildlife by attempting to keep them as pets, a heartbroken animal carer and rescuer says.

Teena Hanslow was forced to euthanise a wallaby joey last week after he was finally surrendered to her care in a severely emaciated, dehydrated condition.

“It breaks me. It is pure animal cruelty at its worst,” Ms Hanslow said.

“All I can think of is the fear, hunger, pain and grief this animal suffered. It would have been far kinder shooting the joey when the mother was shot, not keeping it for three weeks and basically torture it from ignorance.”

Limited information from the person who surrendered the animal indicated that a family had attempted to care for the joey after its mother was killed by hunters.

She said members of the public often decided to keep a joey, without having the time, patience, equipment or know-how to properly care for the animal.

Bennett’s wallabies Victor, Vinnie and Star and baby pademelon Stumpy, who are in the care of Teena Hanslow from Wildlife Bush Babies & Snake Rescue. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

“A lot of people think that when they have fur that they’re fine in the backyard, but they still require the security of their mum,” Ms Hanslow said.

“People say ‘they didn’t want to go in a pouch’ or ‘they wouldn’t take a bottle’, but as licensed, registered carers we make them go in a pouch for the curved development of their spine and security. If they do not like the teat, we try different teats.”

She urged those who were determined to keep a joey to seek help from a registered, licensed carer.

Wildlife carer from Wildlife Bush Babies & Snake Rescue, Teena Hanslow with baby pademelon, “Stumpy”, whose mum was killed by a dog. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Factors to consider included the right amount of fluids, how to toilet the animal like its mother would, removing ticks and other parasites, treating thrush, dressing injuries, giving them enough sunlight and keeping them in a hanging pouch at the right temperature.

Joeys were often reluctant to take a bottle or enter a pouch, especially if they were severely traumatised, she said.

“They already suffer immune-compromising symptoms from grieving the loss of their mother, who would have cleaned, fed and kept them happy and healthy,” Ms Hanslow said.

“If you feel you must keep them please call a registered carer. I don’t care how you became in possession of it, but please let me help you so it survives.”

Her organisation, Wildlife Bush Babies & Snake Rescue offered wildlife carer training courses, as did Bonorong, Ms Hanslow said.

“We need more carers so please, if you want to keep an animal, get the right training. In the interim I am happy to mentor them, to make sure the animal doesn’t suffer,” she said.