'Eco' the Rescued Roo

Monday, 27 May, 2019

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Earlier this year on a sunny Autumn morning, two ELA ecologists, Claire Lock and Lachlan Copeland, were driving out in Western NSW to undertake wetland monitoring in the Murray-Darling Basin.

Along the way they spotted a pair of tiny toes poking out of the pouch of a dead red kangaroo on the side of the highway. After pulling over to further inspect, they peeped inside mum’s pouch and discovered a joey full of life. 

With rescue mode kicking in, Claire and Lachlan quickly phoned WIRES (NSW Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service Inc.) to seek care for the orphaned native. 

“WIRES were quick to respond and put us straight in touch with a volunteer carer, Kristie, who was located close by in Bourke”, said Claire. 

“Kristie took the joey in and is providing her with long-term care, keeping her warm and quiet until she gains enough independence to be released back to the wild”, said Lachlan.

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The ELA team were touched to learn that Kristie named the joey ‘Eco’ after seeing ‘Eco Logical Australia’ on the side of their truck.

“Kristie assures us that Eco is healthy, has settled in well and calls out in her little joey voice if she needs anything”, said Claire. 

ELA team members will be sure to visit Eco and Kristie the next time they are in the area and share updated photographs of Eco’s progress. 

Eco Logical Australia have since made a donation to Eco’s local WIRES branch, which will help to subsidise the cost of kangaroo milk formula for WIRES carers.

If you discover a sick, injured of orphaned native animal in NSW please call WIRES Rescue Office on 1300 094 737 for rescue help and advice.