Meet Roobee
In October 2016, a mother kangaroo was killed in a hit-and-run. Some time later, a couple passing by noticed a little joey standing nearby, lost and lonely, looking at her mother as if wondering why she wouldn’t get up. They managed to catch her and took her home. For a few weeks, they cared for her, feeding her oatmeal and whatever else they could manage. She became a new pet in their family.
But as the school holidays ended and life resumed, they realised they couldn’t keep her. That’s when she came to me, through my daughter. I named her Roobee. She was a real sweetheart, and at the time, I was also joey sitting two other joeys, Elsa and Jaxs, so she had company.
One morning, after her feed, I noticed something wasn’t right. I monitored her for a few hours, but she became weak and couldn’t stand. I rushed her to the vet, but they couldn’t find anything wrong. That night, as I held her close, she began having convulsions. They wouldn’t stop. Each one tore at my heart. She would lay quietly for a while, then another would come.
My mentor suggested I smother her to end her suffering, but I couldn’t do it. That was unthinkable. Eventually, she slipped into unconsciousness, and after about four hours, she passed away in my arms.
It was only weeks later, after speaking with a vet at a function, that I learned she had myopathy—a condition that could have been treated if it had been recognised in time. It’s tragic that my vet didn’t catch it, that my mentor didn’t know better, and that back then, the support network for wildlife carers wasn’t what it is today. She might have survived.
Night time snuggles with Roobee and Jaxs
After her passing, I contacted the newspaper to raise awareness about checking pouches after hitting kangaroos. I’ll never know if Roobee had been in her mother’s pouch and climbed out, or if she had been nearby and avoided the collision. What I do know is that, once again, it’s the carer left with a broken heart—picking up the pieces because others don’t take responsibility or do the right thing. Each loss is a painful reminder of the gaps in awareness and care for our wildlife.
Roobee, Elsa - sleeping and Jaxs (Elsa and Jaxs grew up and were transferred to another sanctuary for eventual release.
Thankfully, with the rise of social media and growing awareness, things have improved significantly. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and community forums have made it easier to share information, educate the public, and mobilise support for wildlife. More people are learning about the importance of checking pouches after road accidents, understanding conditions like myopathy, and realizing the responsibilities we all share in protecting our wildlife.
Stories like RooBee’s, shared far and wide, can make a real difference. The network of wildlife carers has grown stronger, with carers supporting each other and raising awareness in their communities. This connectivity has created a ripple effect, fostering a more compassionate and informed public willing to step up and do the right thing. While there’s always more work to be done, this progress offers hope that the tragedies of the past can become fewer and farther between.
