Wally

Queensland Swamp Wallaby (Wallabia Bicolour) - the last of the 10 chromosome wallabies.

Wally was thrown from the pouch as a youngster less than 750g. Female wallabies are not neglectful parents but when they are startled by a thunderstorm or other activity their instinct is to run and in the commotion joeys are often thrown, Wally went to a home carer. He was in need of day and night attention for many months. Carrying him around in an artificial pouch as a youngster ensured that he didn't miss out on the contact that his mother would have naturally given him. Movement is also important for the development of his bones and general metabolism.

Wally is a strapping 7kg and today he is back at the park with big buddy Barry Winston. He spends his day greeting the volunteers, always hopeful of getting a treat of sweet potato - who could resist him!

Barry Winston

Queensland Swamp Wallaby

Barry Winston is a fully grown wallaby now. He tips the scales at 15kg plus. Barry Winston was also hand raised. He was a little shy when volunteers first took over his care. No one knew that he even had a name, until one day a volunteer recognised him form her previous time at the park. We were able to piece together his history. When his name was called he recognised it immediately, even though it must have been years since anyone had called to him. It was truly moving to know that the care he had as a joey had such a lasting effect on this beautiful creature.

Both Wally and Barry Winston respond to their names. Shouting of them brings them from all parts of the paddock.

Barbie Deer

Barbie deer features largely in Wally's life. Barbie was inherited also. Her job is to warn the roos if any foxes come sniffing around the boundary fences .

Barbie and Wally both like sweet potato. Barbie has been seen on many an occasion taking morsels out of Wally's hands as he is eating them (no wonder Barbie loves hanging out with her wallaby mates).

Stick Eye Red

Red Kangaroo (Macropus Rufus)

Stick Eye Red, as the name suggests, met with misfortune when she ran into a tree branch. Her eye was very sore for some time but the injury didn't spoil her good looks.

All red kangaroos have distinct facial markings, we are able to photograph and identify all the red kangaroos. You will notice that Stick eye's coat is not very red. Some red females have a blue toning and are referred to as 'blue flyers'. Stick Eye had a beautiful Joey who emerged from the pouch last November.

Torn Ear & Patchy Girl

Red Kangaroo (Macropus Rufus)

Torn Ear is a mature red female kangaroo. We don't know what caused the vertical tear in her ear. One half of her left ear stands up straight, the other half flops when she runs.

Torn Ear also had a beautiful joey. Patchy girl emerged from the pouch at Christmas. She had been hanging around in the pouch for so long that when she emerged a lot of her fur had fallen out. Was it the extended period in the pouch or was it a skin infection? Whichever, Torn Ear was not going to let us near her. If the condition was infectious there was a possibility she may spread it to the others. No one wanted to face the fact that Torn Ear's baby might not live. Volunteers carefully monitored mum and baby. Fortunately Torn Ear is a loner and kept herself and junior in the far corner of the park away from the other kangaroos, Torn Ear junior was not in any way deterred by her tatty cladding. She was a bright joey, following her mother's instructions obediently. When Torn Ear stomped her feet junior ran to her. Weeks of observing and hoping paid off. Patchy's attire started to turn into a rich red coat. She is now an advanced at foot Joey. Interestingly, mum and juvenile now mix freely with the other kangaroos.

Big Boy

Western Grey Kangaroo (Macropod Fuliginosus)

What a beauty! Big Boy towers above all the other kangaroos in the park. He is probably the oldest. Even though he is a dominant male and has quite a harem, Big Boy likes a food treat, and is very approachable and gentle. Most of the day is spent lounging around by large logs that afford them some shelter from the wind or under a tree keeping a watchful eye on his girls. He is very tolerant of the many joeys he has produced in past years and appears to enjoy his extended family's company. Alas no longer is he able to sire more offspring! Old habits die hard though and Big Boy still has his dominant ranking.

Skinny Boy (Rodney)

Volunteers were quite rightly alarmed when Skinny Boy came to their notice. His large massive head was disproportionate to his lean skinny body. Was he sick? He certainly didn't act sick. He had an interest in his girls. Was he exhausted fending off other males and reluctant to go to the feed stations? Speculation grew, monitoring continued. The mystery was solved when a past volunteer remembered him from way back. Skinny Boy will always be a distinctive kangaroo.

Brady Kracker

Queensland Swamp Wallaby

I am about eight months old in this photograph. I am drop dead gorgeous. I am currently being raised by a human family but I expect to join the other guys at the park when I reach sixteen months. I drink four tiny bottles of lactose free milk each day. I am the model baby at night, sleeping through from nine o'clock at night until six in the morning. At eight months of age joeys start emerging from the pouch for short hops, but I am extremely unsteady on these huge feet. (Have you ever considered that macropod means "big foot")