By Laura Michell
A kangaroo found injured in the carpark of a Craigieburn shopping centre has been given a second chance at life.
The kangaroo, who had a joey on board, was in the carpark of Craigieburn Central on December 28 when she was hit by two cars.
A local vet rescued her from the centre and took her to Little Urchins Wildlife Sanctuary for treatment.
Little Urchins Sanctuary carer Kat Agar-Teehan said the kangaroo, who has been named Heidi, had pelvic injuries, a broken nose, swelling to her head, grazes on her legs and concrete burns to the soles of her feet.
She said Heidi was lucky to survive.
“A lot [of kangaroos] don’t make being bit by one car because of internal damage. I’m surprised she didn’t have any internal damage but it is probably because she was in the carpark,” Ms Agar-Teehan said.
“She was a very gentle girl when she came in. She just wanted me to sit with her.”
Heidi spent five weeks in the care of the sanctuary before being released into nearby bush with a mob of kangaroos.
“She has bonded very well with other pre-release kangaroos. It was nice to see that she has made a connection to them,” Ms Agar-Teehan said.
“It is really nice to see her happy and she skips around out there.”
Ms Agar-Teehan said the joey, named Elliot, was doing well, with Heidi proving to be a doting mum.
Little Urchins Wildlife Sanctuary’s Paula Griggs said people could avoid hitting kangaroos by slowing down in areas where they are known to live.
She also urged anyone who hits a wild animal to either take it to a wildlife carer for treatment or alert a rescue service to the animal’s location.
