Volunteer Doris and Belinda Gales with the four joeys “snug as a bug in a rug”.
By Mara Pattison-Sowden
CHUM Creek Wildlife Shelter carer Belinda Gales has turned her loungeroom into a kangaroo pen for the winter.
She has four joeys in home-made “pouches” , as well as a young kangaroo, Buddha, who is recovering from shock in his muscles after getting stuck in a fence.
Ms Gales said Buddha was rescued six weeks ago and he has to go through rigorous physiotherapy five times a day to get his strength back.
“He is the fourth in a row because of new fences being put up that animals can’t go through,” she said.
Ms Gales said the other kangaroos trapped had died from cardiac arrest, but she was able to get Buddha’s rehabilitation started within 24 hours of finding him.
“His rehab will take up to four months, but he is going through so much sustagen,” she said.
“The lady on Old Healesville Road whose property he was found on, brings out bales of hay to keep him warm.”
Ms Gales is running the shelter with the help of much-appreciated volunteers, but she is still struggling with what was supposed to be a two-person job.
“We’re doing three rescues a week and constantly need supplies,” she said.
Ms Gales said the perimeter fence is still in need of labour to help keep predators out.
“We were donated the materials, but need the fence up to keep the rehabilitating roos in,” she said.
She said there was also a position for a responsible volunteer, who would like more experience with husbandry and training in looking after sick animals, to live on site.
To help volunteer, or if injured wildlife are found, Belinda can be contacted on 5962 6950 or 0402 755 462.
