Where Is the Outrage for Our Hit-and-Run Wildlife Victims?
Where Is the Outrage for Our Hit-and-Run Wildlife Victims?
"This is Karli, a joey tragically orphaned after her mother was killed in a hit-and-run. Left vulnerable in the pouch, Karli narrowly escaped further harm as ravens had already begun pecking at her tail. Her story is a stark reminder of the silent suffering our wildlife endures on our roads."
Every day, as the sun sets and the roads quiet down, a silent tragedy unfolds across our landscapes. Wildlife—kangaroos, wombats, possums, and countless others—become victims of hit-and-run accidents, their lives cut short or left to linger in unimaginable suffering. Yet, where is the outrage? Where are the voices demanding better, louder, and more compassionate action for these innocent creatures?
We’ve seen moments of collective fury before. Remember the uproar over the "wombat lady"? The public rallied, their voices echoing with anger and heartbreak. But why does this outrage seem to flicker out when it comes to the countless animals struck by vehicles every single night? These hit-and-run incidents are not isolated; they are a relentless, ongoing crisis that deserves our attention and action.
"Merci and Mia, two joeys orphaned after their mothers were tragically killed in hit-and-run incidents, have found safety and a new beginning at Amaris Wildlife Sanctuary."
Imagine the suffering of a kangaroo hit by a speeding car, left injured and unable to move, its joey still in the pouch, terrified and vulnerable. Or a possum, dazed and broken, lying unnoticed on the roadside. These are not just statistics; they are lives—lives that feel pain, fear, and distress. And yet, their suffering often goes unnoticed, their stories untold.
The truth is, this isn’t just about the animals. It’s about us—our responsibility as stewards of this land. It’s about the choices we make when we see an injured animal on the road. Do we stop? Do we call for help? Or do we drive on, convincing ourselves that someone else will take care of it?
We need to do better. We need to demand better. This means advocating for wildlife corridors and road signage in high-risk areas. It means supporting wildlife rescue organizations and educating drivers on what to do if they hit or find an injured animal. It means fostering a culture where compassion for our wildlife is not the exception but the rule.
Outrage is a powerful force. It can drive change, spark movements, and save lives. But it needs to be consistent. It needs to extend beyond the viral moments and into the everyday realities of our world. Our hit-and-run wildlife victims deserve more than silence. They deserve our voices, our actions, and our unwavering commitment to their protection.
"Left by a passerby to call in this morning, this poor soul was found alive on the roadside, suffering from severe head trauma. A heartfelt thank you to my shire ranger for responding to my call and ensuring this animal received the attention it desperately needed. A stark reminder of the silent tragedies our wildlife endure daily."
"Two critically endangered ringtail possums, miraculously found alive in their deceased mother’s pouch after a tragic hit-and-run. A poignant reminder of the fragility of our wildlife and the urgent need for greater care and awareness."
So, let’s ask ourselves: where is the outrage? And more importantly, what are we going to do about it?
Where Is the Outrage for Wildlife Carers?
Behind the scenes of every hit-and-run wildlife victim lies a dedicated wildlife carer—a person who witnesses the carnage day in and day out. These unsung heroes are the ones collecting injured kangaroos from roadsides, nurturing orphaned joeys through sleepless nights, and making heartbreaking decisions when an animal's injuries are too severe. The emotional toll is staggering. Compassion fatigue, burnout, and even suicide are all too common in this field, as carers juggle their unrelenting commitment to wildlife with the crushing lack of support they face.
Where is their safety net? Many of these individuals receive little to no government funding, operating instead on donations and sheer willpower. They sacrifice their time, their financial security, their families, and often their mental health, all to do the work that society has largely neglected. And yet, their voices remain unheard. If we, as a community, fail to provide them with the resources and recognition they deserve, what does that say about our values?
It’s not just about the animals—it’s also about the people fighting to save them. We need to demand better, not only for our wildlife but for those dedicating their lives to protecting it.
60 seconds….
A Minute….
That’s all it would have taken out of your day to make a call.
I can only hope that they were both killed instantly and not left to suffer on the side of the road.
I saw her under the guard rail. Ravens pecking at her baby still inside the pouch.
She was visible from the road, so no excuses not to call. But someone probably thought someone else had done it and so on and so on, but you can never assume that someone called.
Sadly this shows me, that no one cared enough to make the call.
Hit in a 40k roadworks zone.
Confused by all the barriers, they didn’t stand a chance.
Rescue Rehabilitate Release 28 February 2025
Never believe that animals suffer less than humans.
Pain is the same for them than it is for us.
Even worse, because they cannot help themselves.
-Lewis J Camuti
I can only hope that you were killed instantly.
Not laying there unable to move and feeling the vibration of the cars as they drove past, or the noise scaring you with each rumble of the tyres on the road.
You were clearly visible.
No one stopped to give you dignity and take you off the road.
No one called you in either.
I really struggle with this.
I struggle that we have lost our compassion and our empathy towards our wildlife especially.
I struggle that he didn’t get a phone call to give him respect.
These animals are hit every single day of the week.
Every day.
The disregard for their bodies, living and deceased is always a great concern to me.
I will never understand why…
Why can someone not make a call.
It costs nothing to be kind.
Rescue Rehabilitate Release 11 March 2025
If you’re able to support Rescue Rehabilitate Release, please consider doing so. Krysti pours her heart and soul into caring for our wildlife, and every bit of help—whether it’s a donation or simply words of encouragement—means the world.
Reaching out with moral support is incredibly valuable. Knowing that people care, that they see the work we’re doing, and that they’re thinking of us, keeps us going through the toughest days. Your kindness and validation make a bigger difference than you might realise.
Thank you for standing with us and supporting the incredible efforts to give our wildlife the second chance they deserve.
"Bailee arrived at Amaris Wildlife Sanctuary in September 2022, freezing cold and alone after her mother was tragically killed in a hit-and-run. Despite every effort to save her, Bailee’s injuries were too severe, and she had to be put to sleep. Her story is a heartbreaking reminder of the silent suffering our wildlife endures."
"Kobi was left clinging to his deceased mother’s pouch in the middle of a busy highway overtaking lane. Cars zoomed past, and he must have been terrified, too scared to move, wondering why his mum wasn’t getting up, why she was so still. Thankfully, a compassionate young couple rescued him and brought him to Amaris Wildlife Sanctuary in November 2024, giving him a much-needed second chance."