BE AWARE OF NATIVE WILDLIFE ON OUR ROADS  

As we enter the winter months Federal Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman, is reminding Hawkesbury residents to remain alert on the roads in order to stay safe and avoid hitting our precious native wildlife.  

Ms Templeman recently met with Hawkesbury Wires volunteer Anne Marks, who fosters joeys orphaned by traffic collisions, to see the incredible work she does rescuing, raising and releasing Eastern Grey kangaroos, wallabies and wallaroos.  

Ms Templeman said that while these joeys were fortunate enough to have survived the collision and be in Ms Marks care, it’s much better to prevent them or their mother being hurt or killed. 

“As we get into winter, the days get shorter and many people leave for work in the dark and come home in the dark. That increases your risk of hitting one of these beautiful animals. So I really encourage drivers to stay alert, especially around bush and follow the speed limit.”  

“Hitting these animals doesn’t only hurt or kill them, and orphan a joey, it can result in human injury and damaged vehicles.”  

Ms Marks said that drivers should be aware that collisions with kangaroos and wallabies often occur at the same places and to take care if they have seen animals on the road previously.  

“Drivers need to be aware of key hot spots near bushland in their area and slow down to reduce the risk of a severe collision. These areas include Richmond/Agnes Banks, Windsor Downs/Bligh Park, Tennyson/Kurrajong, and St Albans. 

Ms Marks said that if you do hit an animal, it’s important to stop and call Hawkesbury Wires. “If you hit a kangaroo or see an injured kangaroo, please contact WIRES on 1300 094 737 available 24 hours a day 7 days a week.  

“Following vet assessment native animals require specialist rehabilitation care from licensed wildlife carers as soon as possible. Deceased animals can also be reported. This information helps identify high risk collision areas and species numbers and ensures that the pouch has been checked for a joey.” 

Ms Marks was able to show Ms Templeman two of the joeys currently in her care, Jess and Parker. Ms Templeman said that although the joeys are clearly in good hands with Ms Marks, we can all play a role in reducing the number of kangaroos and wallabies injured and killed on our roads. 

“While the joeys are extremely cute and clearly very happy being cared for by Anne, it is a huge undertaking for one person to care for this number of orphaned joeys.  

“WIRES volunteers do incredible work, we can all play our part to prevent collisions with wildlife, so joeys like Jess and Parker can be raised in the wild with their mums.”