Wild Island

The call came just after 9pm, a rescue we know too well.

A pademelon had been struck by a car on a quiet country road in northern Tasmania. It’s a scene repeated far too often, especially between dusk and dawn when wildlife is most active. But this one had a different ending, thanks to two thoughtful travellers.

A couple from Western Australia, visiting Tasmania for the first time, had spotted the still body by the road. Instead of driving on, they stopped. And instead of walking away, they did something simple, something life-saving.

They checked the pouch.

Inside was a tiny joey, still warm, breathing, and alive.

She’s now with us, safe and recovering. We’ve named her Luna.

Luna is a young pademelon joey, furred, bright-eyed, and far too small to survive without her mum. When we arrived, she was curled tight in a blanket, blinking up at us, with only the smallest signs of injury: a few minor abrasions on her toe and heel, likely from the impact. Thankfully, she was otherwise in good health.

Today, she’s snuggled safely inside a handmade pouch and snuggle pod, donated by the wonderful crafters at ARC Tasmania. She’s already showing signs of comfort, curiosity, and that quiet resilience that so many of our marsupial joeys possess.

But she was one moment away from being missed. One car away from being forgotten.

Why Pouch Checking Matters

Tasmania’s roads, especially rural ones, are unfortunately home to high numbers of wildlife collisions. Wallabies, pademelons, wombats, and kangaroos are all marsupials, meaning many will have young in the pouch at the time of an accident. These joeys often survive the initial impact, protected inside, but they can’t stay there for long.

If no one stops to check, the joey may suffer for hours, or even days, before being found, if at all.

That’s why pouch checking is one of the most important things any member of the public can do for wildlife. You don’t need to be a rescuer or vet, just someone who cares enough to look.

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HOW TO CHECK A POUCH SAFELY

If you ever come across roadkill, here’s how you can perform a safe pouch check. It only takes a minute, and it might save a life.

1. FIRSTLY, ENSURE YOUR OWN SAFETY

• Park well off the road, with your hazard lights on.
• Be cautious of traffic, especially at dawn, dusk, or night.
• If you’re unsure or it’s unsafe to stop, call Bonorong Wildlife Rescue on 0447 264 625 and report the exact location. They’ll send a trained rescuer.

2. APPROACH SLOWLY AND CHECK FOR SIGNS OF LIFE

• Watch for movement, breathing, or a twitch of the ears.
• Even if the animal appears lifeless, a joey may still be alive inside.

3. CAREFULLY CHECK THE POUCH

• Adult marsupials like pademelons, wallabies and wombats have a pouch on their underside.
• Locate the pouch and gently stretch the opening of the pouch and look inside, never assume it’s empty. You may need a torch at night.
• Newborn joeys can be very small. Some species may have more that one joey.

4. IF A JOEY IS INSIDE

• Do not attempt to remove it if it’s still firmly attached to the teat. Forcible removal can injure or kill the joey.
• Call Bonorong immediately for advice: 0447 264 625.
• If the joey is unattached and loose, place your hand inside the pouch and gently scoop the joey with the palm of your hand along its back. Never try to remove a joey by a limb or by the tail.
• Place it in a warm, dark pouch (like a fabric bag or jumper) and keep it close to your body for warmth until help arrives.

5. DO NOT PROVIDE ANY FORM OF FOOD OR FLUID

• Do not give the joey any food or fluids. Offering food or fluids can cause more harm than good, despite good intentions.

6. WAIT FOR HELP TO ARRIVE

• Bonorong operates Tasmania’s largest 24-hour wildlife rescue service, providing care and protection to thousands of animals each year.
• This essential service is supported by a dedicated network of trained community rescuers and wildlife carers, all of whom generously donate their time, energy, and resources to help animals in need.

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What If You’re Not Comfortable?

That’s completely okay. Not everyone feels confident handling deceased animals or live joeys, and you don’t have to. What matters most is that you take action.

If in doubt, call it in.

Bonorong Wildlife Rescue operates 24/7 and will connect with local carers or volunteers (like us) who can check and respond quickly. All you need to do is provide a clear location, a landmark, or even a dropped pin on Google/Apple maps.

Because someone took the time to check, Luna is alive. Because they picked up the phone, she will now get the love and care she deserves.

Her injuries were small, just a few grazes, but had she been left there overnight, hypothermia, stress, or predators could have ended her story. Instead, she’s curled up in a soft pouch, already forming the gentle bonds that will see her through the next few months of growth.

Her care will include bottle feeds, temperature regulation, social development, and eventual soft release back into the wild. But none of it would have been possible without that single moment of kindness from strangers.

You Can Help Too

Pouch checking is one of the simplest acts of wildlife rescue, and it doesn’t require special training, just a few seconds of your time and the willingness to act.

It’s something you can teach your kids, your friends, and your travelling companions. It’s a way to give back to the country that gives us so much wild beauty. And sometimes, it’s the reason a little life like Luna gets to grow up and hop free again.