How Orphaned Kangaroos and Wallabies Are Rehabilitated for Life in the Wild

Few experiences are more heartbreaking than discovering a kangaroo joey alone after its mother has been killed or injured. Without specialised care, these young animals have little chance of survival.

At NingeeGully Wildlife Sanctuary, orphaned joeys receive around-the-clock care that closely mimics the security and nurturing they would naturally receive from their mothers.

Every Joey Has Different Needs

Depending on their age, joeys may require bottle feeding every few hours, warmth, specialised milk formulas and the comfort of an artificial pouch.

As they grow, rehabilitation shifts from human care to encouraging independence.

This includes developing:

• Natural grazing behaviour

• Physical strength

• Social interaction with other macropods

• Awareness of predators

• Confidence in natural surroundings

Why Soft Release Matters

Successful rehabilitation doesn't end when an animal is healthy.

Soft-release programs allow kangaroos and wallabies to gradually transition back into the wild while continuing to access familiar surroundings and food if needed.

This process dramatically improves survival rates and helps animals integrate naturally into local populations.

Every successful release represents months and often years of dedicated care, patience and commitment.