Hope springs eternal after ’roo rampage
A JOEY rescued from her dead mother’s pouch on the NSW south coast has made a new buddy, as wildlife carers prepare the orphan for its return to the wild.
Two teenagers have been charged after the alleged killing of more than a dozen kangaroos near Batemans Bay.
The joey, named Hope, has found a new home thanks to the NSW Wildlife Information Rescue and Education Service, known as WIRES, and a new friend named Hopper.
“The surviving eastern grey kangaroo joey Hope is in care with WIRES and doing well,” a spokesman said.
“Both these orphaned joeys are now being ‘buddied up’ as part of their rehabilitation and eventual return to the wild.”
The spokesman said Hopper was brought into care after a car accident, and both were healthy six-month-olds weighing about 2.4kg.
He said Hope’s rescue had garnered international interest, with the WIRES team answering calls from as far afield as New York.
“Since the bushfires there’s been more focus on our wildlife,” the spokesman said.
Officers arrested two 17year-old boys about 6.30pm on Monday after investigations into the deaths of 14 kangaroos.