33- Pouch checking saves lives

Most orphans that come to me arrive snuggled down the top of a rescuer, wrapped safely in towels, in secure crates or cardboard boxes, and inside cosy handmade pouches.

Velvet was different and will always hold a special place in my heart because I rescued her myself.

Her Mum lay on an overpass on the way to Hobart. Many hundreds, if not thousands of commuters had driven straight past as if she did not exist.

At 11 am that morning I was already running late for a work related meeting but seeing the body I doubled back to pull her off the road and check her pouch.

Sure enough there was a joey alive in her pouch but I couldn't get it out easily. With cars wizzing past so dangerously close I decided the only thing I could do was to take the mum and joey with me to my appointment. The woderful family that I had arranged to visit played a role in her rescue and named her Velvet.

Joeys who are not rescued can live for many days slowly dying from starvation and cold.

Performing a ‘pouch check’ on any dead animals that you encounter can help save a life because many joeys stand a good chance of survival in the care of experienced wildlife carers – but only if we find them in time.

Remember advice or assistance is only a phone call away.

Tasmania’s 24/7 rescue hotline number - 0447264625