Winter can be a quiet time for wildlife, but it is kangaroo Joey season and one can sense the hustle and bustle of spring just around the corner. Wildcare currently has about 30 small Joey kangaroos in care. Most of these have been orphaned due to their mother being knocked over on the road. A number of adult kangaroos are killed through road accidents or have to be euthanaised due to dog attacks. After all the publicity about dog control it is amazing the number of uncontrolled dogs that are left to roam around on their own (do you know where your dog is?). Most of the kangaroos in care are eastern greys, but there are also some delightful swamp wallabies and a wallaroo. As well as macropods, Wildcare has rescued some possums, a water rat and an antechinus. There are also several baby wombats in care - mainly with the Native Animal Rescue Group, which operates around Braidwood. Most wombats come into care through road accidents. There are several birds in care, including a galah, magpie, tawny frogmouth and boobok owl.

So, as you can see there are quite a variety of animals. It is really good to see more and more people helping to protect and rescue our wildlife. During the coldest parts of the year, many baby orphaned Joeys and wombats won't survive in their dead mother's pouch for too long and invariably die of hypothermia if left out overnight. Please stop and check animals on the roadway late at night to see if there is a baby onboard and if the mother needs to be helped too. Pull dead animals off the road to stop other wildlife being attracted and then killed too. Where you see an animal with a red cross on it, this means it has been checked.

Wildcare is your local wildlife group and can be contacted on 6299 1966. The Native Animal Rescue Group covers the Braidwood and Majors Creek area on 4846 1900.