Along a quiet stretch of river in Tocumwal, Australia, an elderly kangaroo stood trapped between a steep cliff and the water below.
His once-powerful legs trembled as he tried to climb, but the rocky slope was too slick. He was exhausted, injured — and alone.
Camouflaged perfectly against the mud and rock, the big kangaroo was nearly invisible to anyone passing by.
But then, fate intervened.
A man riding a Jet Ski along the river caught sight of something unusual — a flash of movement against the cliffside. Realizing what he was seeing, he immediately called his wife to report it: a kangaroo was stranded and needed help.
Within hours, rescuers from Dutch Thunder Wildlife Shelter were on their way.
“Due to recent flooding in the area, animals have been pushed out of their normal home ranges,” co-owner Kylee Donkers told The Dodo. “They’re finding themselves in unfamiliar territory.”
Donkers, her partner James Leonard, and volunteers Emma and Josh Lewis quickly arrived and surveyed the daunting terrain. The cliff was slick and unstable, and one wrong step could send them tumbling. But they refused to give up on the old roo.
Carefully, the team found a safe path down to where the kangaroo was trapped. His breathing was labored, and a gash on his head told them how hard he must’ve fallen.
“Once he was sedated, we didn’t want him to fall into the water,” Donkers said. “I stayed down there with him the whole time.”
With teamwork and care, they lifted the massive kangaroo into a transport bag and carried him into a waiting boat. From there, they brought him straight to Dutch Thunder Wildlife Shelter, where he received treatment for his injuries and finally got to rest.
Over the next few days, the once-helpless roo began to regain his strength. His eyes grew brighter, his appetite returned, and soon, he was strong enough to stand tall again.
“He is a beautiful old boy,” Donkers said proudly. “At one stage, he was more than likely the alpha male.”
When he was fully recovered, the rescuers brought him to a quiet, safe area where other kangaroos roamed free.
They opened his transport bag — and watched as he paused for a moment, turning back to look at the people who had saved his life.
Then, with a few powerful hops, he disappeared into the wild — back where he belonged.
To keep up with the lifesaving work of Dutch Thunder Wildlife Shelter, follow them on Facebook or call BSB: 633-000 or ACC: 151069515 to donate to support their rescues.
