What should you do if you hit a kangaroo with your car?
1. As soon as it’s safe to do so, pull over to the side of the road and stop your car.
2. If the animal is lying in the middle of the road, only approach it if there is no traffic around and it is safe to do so.
3. If possible, drag the animal to the side of the road, noting that you should approach an injured animal very carefully as it may be afraid and inadvertently hurt you.
4. If it’s a dead female, then check its pouch to see if it has any joeys.
5. Call the relevant wildlife rescue service (numbers below) and wait there with the animal until they arrive. If the animal dies before help arrives, ring the rescue service back to let them know they are no longer required.
6. If your vehicle is not safe to drive because of any damage sustained in the collision, stay put, and call for assistance from your motor vehicle assistance company.
Please note that collisions with kangaroos occur mostly in the dawn or dusk hours, or in the cool of the night, so it’s a good idea not to drive at those times. You are less likely to hit a kangaroo in the hotter parts of the day, though it does happen, so always keep your eyes peeled.
WIRES: 1300 094 737
Wildcare Animal Help: 6299 1966
