Karli's Journey to Recovery

On August 15th, a tiny joey named Karli arrived at Amaris, weighing just 821 grams. Her story began tragically when her mother was killed in a hit and run accident in Munglinup, leaving Karli vulnerable on the side of the road. Fortunately, she was taken in by Lynn from Esperance Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation. Ravens had already begun to attack her, causing serious damage to her tail.

At the time, I wasn't prepared for another joey—Kenny and Katie had just returned home after being critically ill. However, Karli needed someone with wound care experience, so I welcomed her to Amaris as a new buddy for Kenny and Katie. Having spent 40 weeks taking care of Bandit through two tail breaks and osteomyelitis, with the unwavering support of Claire from Karlup Animal Sanctuary and vet nurse Alice, I felt somewhat qualified. With bandage changes up to four times a week, strapping, splints, and bandaging for Bandit, I knew I could help Karli, especially with Claire and Alice by my side.

There was a discussion around whether to amputate the tip of her tail or let it heal and drop off naturally. After a vet visit, it was decided to let her heal on her own. She was only a baby and still 100% in her pouch. Ten weeks later, her bandaging and strapping are off! Karli has been so good through it all and is now enjoying the freedom of hopping around without a heavy bandage.

Karli is a very affectionate girl, and I'm thankful for the opportunity to care for her and support her recovery. A huge thank you to my wound care heroes, Claire and Alice, for your support and advice, and for analyzing the daily, then weekly photos and offering advice and changes to enable a complete recovery.

#KangarooCare #WildlifeRescue #JoeyRecovery #CaringForKangaroos #AmarisSanctuary #WildlifeHeroes #AnimalRescue #KangarooConservation #JoeyJourney #InjuredWildlifeRecovery #NatureNurturing

🌟 A Vital Message for All Wildlife Rescuers 🌟

 As wildlife carers, our constant message is clear: please hand over your injured or orphaned wildlife to a registered carer. This sentiment is echoed around the country as we continue to see the damage done to our wildlife when improper care leads to euthanasia. I am here to echo that sentiment.

Karli arrived at Amaris on August 15th, weighing just 821 grams. Her Mummy had been killed in a hit and run MVA and left on the side of the road. Ravens had already begun to attack her, resulting in serious damage to her tail. I wasn't prepared for another joey—Kenny and Katie had just returned home after being critically ill. But Karli needed someone with wound care experience, so I welcomed her to Amaris.

Being a registered carer doesn't mean we know it all or know it better. It means we have a network of carers for support and mentorship and established relationships with vets. After a vet visit, we decided to treat the wound and hopefully avoid amputation of part of the tail. Thankfully, with the support and advice of our wound care heroes Claire of Karlup Animal Sanctuary and Wildlife Vet Nurse Alice, Karli is doing well, and her tail is almost healed. It's taken two months of daily dressing changes and a few vet visits to ensure everything was on track.

Being a registered carer doesn't mean we have all the answers. On Sunday night, Karli stopped drinking her bottle. She had been struggling with hay fever, and I thought it was just uncomfortable for her to drink. I gave her some saline drops, anti-histamine, and put her to bed. Monday morning, I could see she was in a lot of pain, dehydrated, and not wanting her bottle again. A dash to the vet for fluids and pain relief and consulting with my amazing mentors Claire and Sam revealed constipation. More pain meds, olive oil in milk, pushing hydration fluids all day, another vet visit, more pain relief, and more fluids. The following morning her bowels opened up, and she was much better. It has taken a few days, but today she was back on her feet, ready to be a big girl.

We have seen an increase in members of the public putting their hands up to look after injured wildlife. Unfortunately, carers with no experience will often keep wildlife with serious injuries without pain relief because they don’t know how to recognise pain. We've seen joeys with infections, fractures in their spine and hips, and broken jaws being kept for days and weeks as pets, toys for their children, without pain relief, being paraded around like healthy puppies. Wildlife have an enormous threshold for pain, and the cruelty imposed on them by well-meaning members of the public is horrific and cruel.

We do this in our own time, at our own expense. We are not here for accolades or kudos; we are here because we care. So, we continue to emphasize: please pass on wildlife to a registered carer. Yes, they may not know everything, but they will have an amazing network of experienced mentors and vets. I am so blessed with my mentor network and relationship with my vet. Not only do they know how to support and encourage, to advise and assist—they know me and my limits.

Let's work together to ensure our wildlife gets the care they need and deserve.

“Inspiring hope and healing for Australia’s wildlife, one rescue at a time.”

#WildlifeRescue #AnimalCarers #SaveTheJoeys #ProtectNativeWildlife #WildlifeCare #WildlifeWarriors #VetCareHeroes #RegisteredCarers #AnimalRehabilitation #InspiringHope #amariswildlifesanctuary #karlupanimalsanctuary #mtbarkerveterinaryhospital

The Heartbreaking Journey of Little Espy

In the quiet moments of his mother's pouch, Espy was just a tiny joey enjoying the warmth and safety as his Mumma searched for food and water. Tragically, their journey was cut short when a car struck and killed his poor Mumma. Espy was violently thrown from the pouch, landing heavily on the car's bonnet. The gentleman driving the car, realizing the gravity of the situation, scooped up Espy from the road and called for help.

A team of four wildlife groups quickly banded together to assist Espy. A post on a community wall brought forward a member of the public (MOP) claiming to be a paramedic. She assured us she would take Espy to a carer in Perth the next morning. We found a carer willing to take him, but it never happened. Instead, Espy was paraded around town like a new puppy dog. Our numerous attempts to contact the MOP were met with silence.

Despite our best efforts, without an address, there was little we could do. The community rallied behind us, giving us an address, so we reached out to DBCA in Albany. The Perth and Esperance DBCA, as well as the local police sergeant, ranger, and even the SES all tried to help find Espy. The local police sergeant and DBCA visited the woman's house,  but sadly, couldn't locate Espy, It seemed the MOP had left for Perth and taken Espy with her.

On a hunch, I started calling vet clinics in Perth. Finally, on Friday, I received a call that Espy had been admitted to a clinic and subsequently transported to WA Wildlife Hospital. After examination and X-rays revealed paralysis in his right leg and a fractured vertebra, Espy was put to sleep. This baby suffered immensely at the hands of this MOP, as we suspected he had injuries from the impact and communicated that with her, asking her to keep him quiet and resting until he could be professionally assessed. 

Espy, your life mattered. I am gutted that we couldn't get you the help you so desperately needed. Thank you to everyone who helped and supported us in finding him. Rest in peace, baby boy. You were so loved even though we never got to meet you.

Espy's sad journey is a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of community support. 🌟

The neglect and cruelty of Espy has been reported to the RSPCA.

Our Connection Volunteers Program was created to assist our time-poor carers with the transport of wildlife in need.

Espy's tragic life highlighted the glaring lack of support for wildlife in areas not serviced by registered carers.

We urgently need volunteers to step up and bridge this gap. We will provide you with basic rescue resources and the correct handling information to equip you for these situations. Jane will be available to guide you through any scenario.

Will you be that someone who makes a difference to wildlife like little Espy?

Join our Connection Volunteers Program and help us prevent such heartbreaking incidents and wildlife from suffering unnecessarily in the future.

Call Jane today on 0475 442 202 to register your interest 

Let's rally together and make a positive impact! 

Remembering Rossie: A Gentle Soul

On November 4th, my heart broke as I found my beautiful girl Rosie had passed away. Her lifeless body lay there, with Rossie’s head sticking out and his big sister Jonti standing close by. Rosie had been weak for some time, battling myopathy and the stress of mating and carrying babies, which ultimately took a toll on her heart.

The day before, I noticed Rossie on the ground, with Jonti attending to him instead of his Mumma. At just 1.3 kg, he was much too little to be out of his mum’s pouch. Rosie was a loving and caring mother to Rossie, and after he was taken into care, he struggled. It took about four weeks before he finally loved his bottle. Rossie had two buddies, Emma and Elliott, who kept him company.

Rossie was the most beautiful and gentle boy, with his mum’s eyes and disposition. Two years ago, he was struck with Bordetella bronchiseptica and became very sick. I had to bring him inside with Jedda, and he needed a lot of care—antibiotics, cough medications, anti-inflammatories, and pain relief. He was treated with a nebulizer and loads of loving care. Together with Jedda, he finally healed and was off to live the wild life.

In March last year, Rossie came home, went into the pen, and fell over—he was so weak. A vet diagnosed him with a respiratory infection, possibly a result of a compromised immune system caused by the Bordetella bronchiseptica virus. He was treated with antibiotics, and I kept him confined in the pen for about four weeks. I was able to pouch him every night and put him into a thick fur-lined hanging bag. Jaffa kept him company, doting on little Rossie and never wanting to leave his side. When it was time to let him go free again, Jaffa followed him and stayed close. Every night, she would bring him home for supplemental feeding and a warm bed.

Spring arrived, and Rossie no longer wanted his bed, but every afternoon he was with Jaffa at the gate, wanting to go into the pen. About six weeks ago, he wanted his pouch again. He was too heavy for me to lift into his bed, so I put out a dog bed and covered him with blankets. The time he spent in his bed became longer and longer, so I knew something wasn’t right. I gave him supplements and made sure he had access to food, water, and treats each night.

Last week, Rossie came home shaking. Did he have an altercation with another boy? Doubtful, as he was such a placid, loving boy. Did he get a fright? Possibly, though I’m not sure from what. It’s pretty quiet here, and I hadn’t noticed anything. I treated him with Vitamin E, hiding the meds in a banana. He cottoned on quickly. He was still going out during the day but coming home at night. By Wednesday, he was so weak that I knew I needed to get the vet. Sadly, with wild joeys, we have to wait until that point for the vet to make an assessment.

Dr. Georgia came and couldn’t immediately diagnose anything. She drew some blood, and a couple of hours later, the diagnosis was renal failure. I discussed numerous options with Dr. Teresa and spoke to Claire, and it was decided to admit him the following morning and start him on fluids. The following morning, he was admitted into the clinic. The way we were greeted at the clinic oozed confidence, and I had no hesitation leaving Rossie, knowing he was in expert hands. He spent three days and two nights hooked to a drip, but there was only a very slight improvement.

Dr. James called me Saturday afternoon and very kindly and gently explained the diagnosis: Chronic Renal Failure. We suspect he had been suffering from this condition for at least six weeks. Unlike acute kidney failure, which is often reversible, chronic kidney failure is not. The prognosis was kidney dialysis and transplant, which sadly wasn’t an option. The rules here are quite clear and for good reason (most of the time): if they are not suitable for release, the heartbreaking decision was made to help him over the rainbow bridge.

We can only make some assumptions about how this happened: a bladder infection that wasn’t treated and went on for too long, crystals in his urine causing a blockage, a weakened immune system due to Bordetella bronchiseptica, or myopathy (though his blood cell count didn’t align with a myopathy diagnosis).

Rossie left peacefully, holding my hand. Together to the end. 💔💔

A huge shoutout to the staff at Mt Barker Veterinary Hospital WA for the love and care shown to Rossie while he was in your care. Your facilities to treat an adult kangaroo are just amazing. Thank you to Dr. James for taking the time to thoroughly explain exactly what was happening so I understood why he needed to be put to sleep. To Dr. Teresa, your compassion towards me and Rossie as he was put to sleep was above and beyond. To the other staff members, especially Alice Chandler, thank you for your care and reaching out to me. It will take a long time for me to heal. He was my special Rossie boy. He was gentle, and his eyes reflected my special Rosie girl.

I’m not sure if Jaffa understands or knows. I suspect she does. She was the only one home that night, and we were able to spend some time together. Jaffa has been Rossie’s constant companion for over two years, taking care of him and ensuring he was home every night to be pouched.

Rossie will be cremated, and his ashes sprinkled with his Mumma’s around the Wooly Bush. 

Rossie, my beautiful baby boy, your gentle eyes and pure spirit always reminded me of your dear Mumma Rosie. Now, my heart is broken and shattered beyond words. I promise to take extra special care of your sister Jonti, just as I did for you.

Your journey, though filled with challenges, was also marked by immense love and care. You taught me so much about resilience and the power of compassion. Rest in peace, my sweet gentle boy. You will always hold a special place in my heart, and you will be so dearly missed. 🌈💔

If you would like to help with Rossie's vet expenses we would appreciate donations to


AMARIS WILDLIFE SANCTUARY INC:
BSB: 633000
Account number: 172206732
or
PayPal: PayPal.me/AmarisWildlife

Rossie's Mumma Rosie

Rosie

Rosie with Rossie in pouch and Jonti sneaking a drink

Rossie (centre) with Elliott and Emma