Race to save trapped ’roos

By Kath Gannaway
HELP For Wildlife is looking for a refuge for families of kangaroos trapped by urban development.
Denise Garratt, president of Help For Wildlife, a statewide wildlife emergency rescue service, says they urgently want to hear from landowners in the Kinglake, Toolangi, Yarra Valley and Nillumbik areas who could provide a safe, new home for small family groups of kangaroos.
Ms Garratt said 29 kangaroos were trapped in a pocket of land in the middle of what she described as a explosive development at Mill Park.
“There were 50 originally, but they are getting run over on the road and desperately need to be relocated,” she said.
Help For Wildlife is part of a Department of Sustainability and Environment working party that is endeavouring to work out a solution to the problem.
“We have got to the stage now where there are three options on the table – one to move them, one to keep them where they are and fence the area off, and the third is to euthanase them.”
She said Help For Wildlife believed the second option was unworkable, and the third option was not an option.
“We are looking for land that has access to good food and water with tree cover in a quiet, safe environment where the relocated kangaroo families will not impact on the local population,” Ms Garratt said.
Part of the relocation criteria is that adjoining neighbours are agreeable to the move.
Ms Garratt said discussions were also underway to consider sterilising some family groups to avoid any potential future population issues.
“That will depend on the translocation site, the landowners’ wishes and departmental approval,” she said.
Ms Garratt can be contacted on 0417 380 687 or email to helpforwildlife@bigpond.com