🌿 Jade’s Resilience: A Tale of Kangaroo Courage 🦘

Jade’s journey is etched in the flames of adversity, a testament to the indomitable spirit of our native wildlife. 🌟

🔥 Trial by Fire: A controlled burn swept around our sanctuary, frightening Jade and her companions—Jake and Jaffa. The wind carried the flames, and chaos reigned: motorbikes, trucks, and human clamor. Jade and Jake fled, their hearts racing.

🦴 Broken Bonds: Three days later, I found Jade—curled up against a tree about 1km from home, her leg fractured. Dr. Shey worked her magic, pinning the bone. It took a team during those weeks after surgery.  Danielle came over every day to administer her antibiotic injections, help me with cleaning her up (she wasn't used to being toileting any more, so wet bags and pouches.  I persisted and towards the end it got better)  and brought fresh browse for the rest of the mob a couple of times a week.  Peggy drove the 3 hour round trip every week for vet check up and x-rays. A surprise visit from her first Mummy and Daddy, Wendy and Ken lifted every one's spirits. Six weeks of rehab, and Jade was free once more. But the bond with Jaffa and Jake lay shattered, like burnt leaves in the aftermath. 

👶 Maternal Instincts: Jade’s first girl joey Darwin arrived, but motherhood bewildered her. The little one vanished, leaving an ache in her heart. Then came Jasper—a tiny bundle of hope. Jade doted on him, watched over him. But fate played a cruel hand: during a mating chase, Jasper slipped from her pouch, lost forever.

🌾 Lonely Vigil: Now Jade roams our sanctuary—a solitary figure. She’s part of the mob yet never truly belongs. Her eyes hold memories of fire, loss, and love. And as another joey stirs within her pouch, I’ll be her silent guardian, guarding her fragile hope.  She is still very attached to me and comes to me for cuddles and scratches.

Jade and Jake a few days after they arrived.  They were a very bonded pair

Jade was the best patient.

I would spend most of my days just sitting outside with Jade, so she could see the mob move around her.  She needed those sounds and smells as part of her emotional healing.  The emotional is often harder than the physical.

For 6 weeks I had to carry Jade everywhere, trying to balance her emotional needs with her physical.  I took her to the ant nest dirt.  After weeks of antibiotics this is what her tummy needed.

Finally back on her feet in a small enclosure so she did have room to run

12 weeks later, freedom and free to run wild again

Oh how she enjoyed her freedom.

Jade, Darwin and Terminator.

Jade with Jasper - she was a doting Mumma

Darwin

Jade's first day of freedom after breaking her leg.  

Jade this morning - A lone girl on the fringes of the mob with joey #3

“Roos on Trial: When Defense Becomes Offense”

Kangaroos, our beautiful iconic Australian marsupials, face so many dangers when interacting with dogs. Let’s look at some of these challenges:

1. Kangaroos and Water:

 Drowning Predators: Kangaroos have a strong instinct to seek water when threatened by predators. Large male kangaroos can indeed drown dogs if the dogs swim out to them. With their powerful arms and claws, kangaroos can turn the tables.  Keep your dog on a leash.  The kangaroo is only trying to protect itself.

Chasing into Dams: Dogs chasing kangaroos may inadvertently drive them into dams or water bodies. In such situations, kangaroos may struggle to escape, leading to tragic outcomes.

2. Myopathy and Stress: 

Myopathy during the Chase: The intense physical exertion during a chase can cause myopathy (muscle damage) in kangaroos. This condition can be fatal, especially if the chase is prolonged.

Stress and Exhaustion: Kangaroos experience extreme stress during dog chases, which can weaken their immune system and overall health

3. Injuries and Abandonment: 

Injured Kangaroos: Dogs can injure kangaroos during chases. Unfortunately, some injured kangaroos are left in the bush, suffering agonizing deaths due to their injuries. 

Lack of Intervention: When dogs attack kangaroos, their owners may rush in to save the dog, inadvertently leaving the injured kangaroo without assistance.

Joey ejected from pouch:  The moment a joey is ejected, it becomes an easy target for opportunistic predators. Foxes, birds of prey, and feral cats are common threats. These animals can quickly detect the scent of a helpless joey and may attack it.  It is also easy prey to the chasing dog, who will often pick it up and play with it, causing horrific injuries and death.

Kira was ejected from Mums pouch after being chased by a dog. Mum jumped the fence and the dog grabbed Kira.  He bit the end off her tail and shook her like a toy.  Despite the best efforts by the carer Kira didn't make it.

Fence Hangers: when kangaroos flee from chasing dogs, their survival instincts kick in. Desperate to escape, they’ll attempt to leap over fences, driven by fear for their lives. However, fear can cloud their judgment. These majestic marsupials often miscalculate the fence height, leading to entanglement in the wire. Tragically, this results in broken hips and legs, rendering them easy prey for their relentless pursuers

Its not only Kangaroos that are in trouble with rogue dogs.  Perry's Mum was killed by a dog and was also injured.  He also died of his wounds. 

4. Kangaroos as Protectors: 

Misunderstood Behavior: Kangaroos may fight back when chased by dogs. They use their size and powerful hind legs to defend themselves. However, this protective behavior is often misunderstood, and kangaroos unfairly get blamed for aggression.

Human Development Impact: As human development encroaches on kangaroo habitats, these interactions are likely to increase.

Let’s raise awareness about responsible dog ownership and the need to protect our unique wildlife. Kangaroos play a vital role in Australia’s ecosystems, and understanding their challenges is crucial for their survival.

Reducing dog-kangaroo conflicts requires a multifaceted approach that involves both community awareness and practical measures. Here are some steps communities can take:

Education and Awareness: Educate residents about the importance of coexisting with wildlife, including kangaroos. Awareness campaigns can highlight the ecological role of kangaroos and the risks posed by dog attacks.

Encourage responsible pet ownership: Dog owners should be aware of leash laws and keep their dogs under control, especially in areas where kangaroos are present.

Designated Off-Leash Areas: Establish specific off-leash zones for dogs, away from kangaroo habitats. These areas can provide a safe space for dogs to play without disturbing wildlife.

Clearly mark boundaries and educate dog owners about the importance of respecting these zones.

Fencing Solutions: Install wildlife-friendly fencing that allows kangaroos to pass through or over without injury. Mesh fencing with a bottom gap can prevent kangaroos from getting trapped.

Consider using motion-activated lights or alarms near fences to deter kangaroos and prevent dog-kangaroo interactions.

Wildlife Corridors: Create wildlife corridors or green belts that connect natural habitats. These corridors allow kangaroos to move freely between areas without encountering dogs.

Plant native vegetation along these corridors to provide food and shelter for kangaroos.

Community Reporting and Monitoring: Encourage residents to report dog-kangaroo conflicts promptly. Local wildlife rescue organizations can respond and assess the situation.

Monitor kangaroo populations and track incidents to identify problem areas and implement targeted solutions.

Collaboration with Wildlife Carers: Work closely with wildlife carers and volunteers. They can provide valuable insights and assist in rescuing injured kangaroos.

Support rehabilitation efforts for displaced joeys and injured kangaroos.

Remember, fostering empathy and understanding between dog owners and wildlife enthusiasts is essential for successful coexistence. By implementing these strategies, communities can reduce conflicts and protect both dogs and kangaroos.

“Kiera’s Last Whisper”

 

In the quiet hours of late Sunday afternoon, cradling Kiera’s lifeless body, I find myself grappling with tears and the raw emotions that come with caring for injured and orphaned joeys. Kiera, a mere 466 grams of vulnerability, had nestled into my heart and life—a sister for Katie and Kenny. But her journey was destined to be brief, leaving me questioning every decision I made.

The First Days

The initial 24 hours with Kiera were a dream. She latched onto her bottle with ease, and her tiny body responded well. Yet, as the days unfolded, cracks appeared. She began refusing her bottle, and her once-translucent skin took on a pale, ominous hue. I fought to keep her warm, wrapping her in an electric throw rug, but her fragility persisted.

Desperate Measures

Day 3—the critical turning point—arrived. Kiera stopped peeing, her body weakening. Was it kidney failure? Perhaps refeeding syndrome? I suspected her mother struggled to provide adequate nutrition, leaving Kiera underweight. Unlike humans with their teams of doctors and tests, I navigated this alone, fueled by love and warmth.

Cruel Realities

Beyond our makeshift nurseries, the world has shifted. Progress encroached upon wildlife habitats—fences around dams, bushland razed for crops, and hard-hooved non-native animals trampling native spaces, doing far more damage to our fragile environment than our wildlife. Rogue dogs roamed freely, their owners unaware or uncaring of the havoc they wreaked, farm dogs that chase our wildlife, till they seek refuge in the dam and drown the dog in order to protect themselves. Our wildlife, weakened and desperate, moved on, only to be labeled pests and culled.

Hit and Run

My last three pinkies arrived as victims of hit-and-run accidents. Two mothers clung to life, broken and in agony. How did we become a nation that leaves suffering animals by the roadside? A simple call could save them, just a few minutes out of your day, yet compassion seems scarce.

A Carer’s Burden

And so, I sit with Kiera, whispering apologies. Apologies for my limitations, for her mother’s struggles, for the heartless driver who left her mother to suffer. This toll weighs heavy on all wildlife carers. Yet, we persist because there’s always another life deserving of our care.

Farewell, Kiera

Kiera, your brief existence mattered. Mummy loved you, and in your memory, we fight on—for the next Kiera, the next chance at life.

The day she arrived, so frail.

With Katie and Kenny

She fought so hard to stay

Snuggled with Mumma