It is the time of year I dread. Every year, at this time, our 5441 6200 WILVOS Hotline gets
an increase in macropod calls.
The afternoons are still short, and kangaroos and wallabies that are hit by cars are often
females with a joey. It is so sad to see the distress of these joeys when suddenly they are
orphaned. Native animal survival depends on hiding any distress, but the eyes tell the story.
They need to be checked for injury.
This week when a female wallaby had been killed by a car, the lovely people brought the
little joey to the Yandina Vet Surgery. Though showing some abrasions, “Kiki” was
otherwise unharmed. Being a whiptail wallaby, she is not from the local area, so will soon be
taken to a wildlife carer in her home district. It is best to raise macropods with others of their
own kind as soon as possible once they are furred and enjoying their grazing and hopping
about. Kiki is furred but will need to become familiar with me, and with her new
surroundings, before feeling confident enough to venture out of her pouch by herself.
Meanwhile we sit out in the yard as she begins to relax under the protection of her new
‘mum’. Joeys are usually in care for approximately nine months before being released, with
their formed mob, into the wild.
Whiptail wallabies are incredibly beautiful, and it is easy to see why they are often called
‘pretty-faced’ wallabies. The joeys have soft, light grey fur with distinct white cheek stripes.
The markings are similar to our local red-necked wallabies, but the colouring is very
different. Also, their tails are very long – hence the name whiptail wallaby. Amazing
creatures!
Don’t forget to come and visit the WILVOS in the Council’s Living Backyard at the
wonderful Queensland Garden Expo in Nambour this weekend.
Donna Brennan Wildlife Volunteers Assoc Inc (WILVOS) PO Box 4805 Sunshine Coast Mail
Centre Q 4560 PH 5441 6200 www.wilvos.org.au
Take care driving at dawn and dusk…
