Tasmanian Native Wildlife in Spring

Spring is the time when Tasmanian wildlife is most interesting. Sadly it is also the time when orphaned joeys need rescuing from mothers killed on the road. Read more about raising or orphans and their return to the wild, eventually to raise their own joeys.

Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary operates Tasmania's wildlife rescue service. Bonorong provides first response, assessment and then finds foster carers.

To reduce the likelihood of killing wildlife with your car, drive slowly from dusk to dawn, particularly in areas where special wildlife notices are displayed.

Fi is one of the resident wallabies at Huon Bush Retreats. Hand raised, in the suburbs of Hobart and brought to Huon Bush Retreats for release, she is now 3 years old and her 2nd joey is quickly growing in the pouch. For the first couple of months after being born, the joey has been attached permanently to the teat. But now, as the joey grows, it has released the teat and begun squirming in the pouch. Now, Fi's joey is stretching its legs and will soon be too big to fit entirely in the pouch. The little feet will soon begin feeling the cool springtime air, quickly retreating back into the warmth and security of mum's pouch.

Many of the native animals at Huon Bush Retreats have been hand raised as orphans, so are quite friendly. Though they are released into a near natural habitat, some will still seek out human contact for the first few years.