Pouch Checking Guide | Hunter Wildlife

marsupial

/mɑːˈs(j)uːpɪəl/

a mammal of an order whose members are born incompletely
developed and are typically carried and suckled in a pouch on the mother's belly. Marsupials are found chiefly in Australia and New Guinea, and also in America.

ZOOLOGY

noun

Step-by-step
Pouch checking guide

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It is important to check the pouch of any deceased female marsupial.

Joeys can remain alive for several days after their mother has passed, protected in the pouch.

Marsupials with pouches include:

Gliders

Koalas

Kangaroos

Bandicoots

Wombats

Wallabies

Possums

Your personal safety is paramount!
Ensure your car is off the road and you are not stopped in a dangerous place. Put your headlights and hazard lights on. When it’s safe to do so, move the animal off the road by gripping it at the base of the tail and dragging it. Moving it off the road is for your own safety, and also prevents scavenging wildlife from also being hit.

1

IF IT’S FEMALE
Locate the pouch
Most female marsupials have a small pouch opening around belly button level on the tummy. Place your towel or pouch at the entrance of the pouch incase the joey tries to escape.
Open the pouch and look right down to the bottom
Whilst grasping the skin with your hands, lift and stretch the opening of the pouch so that you can see inside. Search thoroughly all the way to the bottom, as newborns are very small.

IF IT’S MALE
If it is male, spray paint it (if you have some) with a large cross to indicate that it has been checked, so other wildlife rescuers don’t stop unnecessarily.

2

IF THERE IS NO JOEY

Check the teats of the mother
If one teat is longer than the other, the mother might be feeding a joey that has jumped away and could still be nearby. Check around the area for the youngster and stay quiet for
10 mins and listen for a squeaking noise. If you do find a joey, attempt to contain it and see Step 3.

IF THERE IS A JOEY

Removing a joey from a pouch
The method for removing a joey from a pouch depends on the age of the joey:
Very young ‘hairless or pink’ joeys
A very young joey may still be fused to its mother’s teat. If the joey is attached, it is best to transport the whole body of the mother to your nearest Vet or call the Wildlife Rescue Hotline 0418 628 483, and they will advise you of next steps. Pulling the joey off the teat can cause serious injury to its mouth.
Older ‘furred or velvet’ joeys
Older joeys have soft fur and won’t be ‘attached’ to the teat. Gently remove the joey from the pouch, never forcefully. You may need to cut the pouch entrance open a little with round tipped scissors if it is hard to get access. Shield the joey from the scissors by sliding your hand between the joey and the pouch wall. The joey may cry out which is just a defensive reaction to the stress.
Don’t pull a joey out by a limb or its tail. Instead, scoop it out using your palm along its back, and put it directly into the pillowcase or pouch you have.

3

KEEP IT WARM, DARK AND QUIET

You can use your body heat to keep the joey warm by placing it down your shirt (inside the pillowcase). Extra layers of soft towel or blanket can be added to make it comfortable for your skin. Take the joey to the nearest vet or call your local wildlife carer for advice on where to go. Make sure the journey is warm, dark and quiet to minimise stress.
Don’t give food or fluids
Please don’t give any food or fluids (including water) to a sick, injured or orphaned animal unless on vet advice.

Report a rescue
0418 628 483

Hunter Wildlife Rescue

marsupial

/mɑːˈs(j)uːpɪəl/

Step-by-step
Pouch checking guide

1

2

3

Help us
to help them

Join the wildlife conversation

Adopt a
Species

Never miss a great wildlife story!

Report a rescue 0418 628 483

Hunter Wildlife Rescue

marsupial

/mɑːˈs(j)uːpɪəl/

Step-by-step Pouch checking guide

Help us to help them

Join the wildlife conversation

Adopt a Species

Never miss a great wildlife story!

Report a rescue
0418 628 483

Step-by-step
Pouch checking guide

Help us
to help them

Adopt a
Species