Macropods are kangaroos and wallabies. The term Macropod means Big (Macro) Foot (pod).
An adult injured kangaroo is a force to be reckoned with. Do not put yourself in danger.
Be aware of traffic and put your safety first. Do not walk onto a busy or dangerous road. The police (131 444) or Main Roads (138 138) may be contacted for assistance if there is a road hazard.
Do not approach the animal or attempt to catch it. Chasing an injured animal may result in a worse injury and unnecessary stress. Check the surrounding area for any young nearby. If you find a baby animal, wrap it up to keep it warm.
Call an experienced carer, vet or the RSPCA.
If you come across a deceased animal on the road, please stop and check if the animal is male or female. Female animals may well have a joey in the pouch, and depending upon its size, it may well be viable to raise and release.
If the baby is a ‘pinkie’ (no fur, pink skin, eyes still closed), and is still attached to the teat – DO NOT REMOVE IT! To remove a pinkie baby, the teat must be cut from the dead mother, and a safety pin or paper clip pushed through the teat to prevent the baby from swallowing it. Do not try to remove the teat from the joey’s mouth – they will spit it out in their own time. Pulling a joey off a teat is a certain death sentence. The teat is attached to the palate, and a joey can still be fed around an attached teat.
If you feel unable to remove the baby, call Rachel Aspinall (0407 881 008) to remove the little one. Alternatively transport the animal to AZWH or RSPCA Eumundi for assistance.
The best way to transport a small injured wallaby is in a pillowcase, wrapped securely in a sheet or blanket, or in a sack. This will prevent them from jumping around and causing further injury.
Macropods are very ‘stressy’, so as little noise and movement as possible will be beneficial.
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