Kangaroo Rescue

Kangaroo Rescue and Sanctuary

Greg and Diane of Kangaroos Alive have a kangaroo sanctuary, kangaroo care and rescue facility including a kangaroo hospital west of the Blue Mountains outside Sydney.

This is their story…

"Our introduction to the plight of kangaroos began as wildlife carers in the western region of the Sydney Basin in 2000. We quickly became aware that the 4 species that exist in this bio-region, (eastern grey kangaroo, wallaroo, swamp wallaby and red neck wallaby) were seriously affected by urban sprawl, and the associated land clearing of huge developments that encompassed the Sydney Basin extending to the foot of the Blue Mountains.

Realising that there was little consideration by government and developers when opening up new areas of established bush land for urban development and infrastructure, and little consideration of the retention of wildlife corridors or viable remnant bush land, we both decided in desperation that we need to establish a facility not far from Sydney where we could achieve better outcomes for these species through research and conservation.

The property was assessed prior to purchase for its significant features of conservation significance, and it held distinct family groups of eastern grey kangaroos displaying clear family connections and hierarchy. The property also supported healthy populations of wallaroo, swamp wallaby and red neck wallaby in proportional numbers.

Our aim was to co-exist with these and all species and to enhance the conservation value of the property whilst operating as a not for profit organisation providing education on kangaroos and conducting and attracting research into these beautiful integral players in the biodiversity of the property.

The property was a significant investment that required ongoing investor support to achieve desired positive outcomes. Arrangements were put in place for investor support to allow the property to operate as a wildlife care, education and research retreat without profit, and for a high level conservation covenant to protect the property's primary use into perpetuity.

These goals have not yet been realised, and there has not been any positive environmental outcome; as a result of the shooting of kangaroos locally for recreation, for non commercial reasons and commercial profit. We lost all financial supporters due to …

1. the debilitating effect that the killing had on visitors

2. the risk presented from firearms use.

We suffered and continue to suffer financial losses as a result of the decisions of Government to legitimise the killing of kangaroos for off-set and profit. Our right to enjoy the repose of our property was withdrawn. Our dream of establishing the eco tourism, education and research centre ended and our daily lives became a nightmare.

We found ourselves being targeted for wanting to conserve and protect kangaroos, and there was some focus of intimidation by way of frequent recreational shooting of kangaroos on and near to our property as well as other forms of anti social and threatening behaviour. We made reports to local Police. Most reports to Police yielded little result, but ensured we became less popular locally.

The relentless Commercial and Non Commercial massacre continued into 2014 then 2015, all the while we gathered data and evidence, requested information and assistance, transparency and justice. We asked for help from Police, OEH, RSPCA, Members of Parliament, State Government Ministers, Non Government Legal and Environmental agencies, Solicitors. We made rational, reasonable requests for consideration, we respectfully challenged the senselessness of replies from Government agencies and the glaring contradictions. We repeatedly asked for consideration in the process highlighting the devastating impact the kangaroo killing was having not only on our Kangaroos but also on us. We asked for mercy. We respectfully waited. We waited too long.

Along with all of the licenced events, there was and still is, frequent illegal shooting of kangaroos; commercial, non commercial and recreational, on these properties as well as in neighbouring State Forest area which we share a 4km boundary with to the west. We have been confronted with the realities of the harming of kangaroos in all its forms while witnessing, first hand and dangerously close, well over 600 shooting events during the past 15 years.

We know this ridiculously inhumane, unjustified killing inside out. We see what motivates it and how cultural perceptions fuel and drive it. We see how incorrect these perceptions actually are, that kangaroos do not damage fences or compete with farmed animals for pasture or water, that, with some small considerations, co-existence with Kangaroos would not only be possible but actually beneficial to agriculturalists. “

Our work with Kangaroos Alive is to highlight the cruelty and suffering. If people really knew what goes on out there in the dark they would be horrified.

Diane is licenced carer who has raised many orphaned joeys until they can look after themselves. Greg is a licenced kangaroo/wildlife rescuer and carer with more than 20 years experience. He is one of many volunteers who respond to wildlife in crisis in New South Wales.