A wallaby joey has been rescued after falling from its mother's pouch on a suburban street in Warrnambool, Victoria. Local resident Tracy McKendry spotted the swamp wallaby bounding down the street and began filming, capturing the moment the joey fell from the pouch as the mother fled.
Mosswood Wildlife Administration and Volunteer Coordinator Colleen Edwards said wallabies are not uncommon in such areas, often living near bush reserves or parks. Despite waiting, the mother did not return, prompting McKendry to contact Mosswood Wildlife for help.
Edwards explained that ideally, people should give mother and joey space to reunite, but in this case, the mother kept going without stopping. The joey, named Katina, is now in the care of an experienced carer and is eating and drinking well.
Edwards debunked the myth that kangaroos and wallabies intentionally throw their young, stating that the mother's flight mode caused involuntary pouch muscle contractions, leading to the joey's fall. She advised anyone finding a joey to keep it warm and safe and contact a registered carer or vet, as it is illegal to raise wildlife without a permit.
Katina is expected to make a full recovery and will stay with her carer until old enough to be relocated.
