Understanding the Silent Suffering of Orphaned Joeys
The Silent Suffering: What Happens to a Joey Left in Her Mother’s Pouch After a Roadstrike
It’s a tragedy we see far too often—an adult kangaroo hit by a car, her body left at the roadside. What many don’t realise is that inside that still pouch, life may still be flickering. A pinkie joey—fragile, hairless, blind, and entirely dependent—is silently waiting for the mother who will never respond again.
Here’s the grim reality of what happens to that helpless life when no one checks.
Rigor Mortis Sets In Within hours after death, the mother’s body begins to stiffen. The tight contraction of her muscles can crush the delicate joey still attached to her teat. It's a slow, silent trauma that most never even consider.
Toxicity from Decomposition As the mother’s body breaks down, fluid and bacteria begin to accumulate inside her pouch. The joey, still too small to detach or escape, is exposed to this toxic slurry. Infections and poisoning quickly follow.
Starvation and Dehydration A pinkie joey is completely reliant on the nutrition provided by its mother’s milk. Once she passes, her milk production ceases. Within hours to days, the joey will begin to weaken and fade from a lack of sustenance.
Trauma and Internal Injuries The force of the impact may also leave the joey with serious injuries—broken legs, back or pelvis, internal bleeding, and head trauma. These injuries are invisible from the outside, yet cause immense pain and suffering. Without veterinary care, a pinkie in this state may suffer slowly until death.
Predation The smell of decay draws crows, ants, and flies. These scavengers don’t wait for the joey to pass peacefully. Countless pinkies are found with horrific injuries—eyes pecked, flesh bitten—still alive and in agony.
Secondary Trauma If the mother’s body remains on the road, the joey may be struck again. Sometimes the force is enough to dislodge the joey entirely from the pouch—leaving it to crawl aimlessly in search of warmth and safety it doesn’t understand is gone.
Emotional Distress Though we can't measure it in the same ways, joeys show signs of distress: they cry out, breathe rapidly, and exhibit panic responses when separated. Their entire world—safety, nourishment, warmth—is suddenly gone, and they’re left in a state of shock.
What You Can Do If you see a dead kangaroo on the roadside, please take a moment to stop (only if safe). Check her pouch. Gently open it and see if a joey is inside. If there is, contact a licensed wildlife carer immediately. That act of compassion could save a life.
The difference between rescue and suffering often comes down to awareness—and willingness to act.
Please share this. Educate. Speak up for the silent ones.
Yasha was brought to me by my ranger, found freezing cold in her deceased mother’s pouch. We tried, but sadly, she didn’t make it. Her story is a painful reminder of why checking the pouch matters. So many lives still have a chance—if only we stop to look.
“Inspiring hope and healing for Australia’s wildlife, one rescue at a time.”