Why we had to say Good-Bye
At Amaris, we live on the edge of heartbreak and hope.
Every tiny life that arrives here has already lost something—a mother, a bond, a natural rhythm. Trauma brings them to our arms, and from that moment, we hold them close. Sometimes it’s minute by minute, even second by second. Will they make it? Can we help them stay?
We do everything we can. But it’s hard. It’s heartbreaking. It’s soul-destroying when we lose them. And even when we don’t, even when they survive and thrive, there’s still a goodbye waiting at the end.
Because at the very core of every good wildlife carer is this truth: we are preparing them to leave us.
We raise them to return to the wild. We teach them to trust their instincts, not our hands. We find safe, sustainable release sites where they can live freely, safely, and with dignity.
When I moved here, I thought I’d found the dream. There was a huge forest nearby. Farmers welcomed kangaroos. Neighbours wanted them on their land. I could soft release from my own property and watch my babies have babies—and their babies have babies. It was paradise.
But things change. And not always in ways we can control.
COVID hit. The housing crisis deepened. Land became scarce. My little sanctuary, once tucked away in peace, suddenly became attractive for its affordability. City folk moved in with their dogs. Trees came down. Fences went up. And the safe space for wildlife began to shrink.
Suddenly, kangaroos weren’t welcome anymore. The country began to look like suburbia.
And so this week, I said goodbye to Katie, Kalina, and Khloe—my beautiful, precious girls.
Katie, who came to me so sick, who fought through the darkest nights and became the light of my life. Kalina, who arrived after a hit-and-run, and became Katie’s quiet companion. Khloe, who battled serious health concerns and came through stronger than ever.
My heart hurts. A lot.
But this is what we do. We move them to where they are safe. And I’m so thankful to Claire at Karlup, who shares our ideology and heart for soft release.
The girls are now in a huge enclosure, surrounded by other hand-raised joeys. They’ll stay until they reach about 18kg, and until this year’s mating cycle is over. By then, they’ll be ready—strong, bonded, and wise enough to know where to return if they need help.
The wild is not without danger. But these girls will know a wonderful human who will help. They’ll have the best of both worlds.
So while my heart breaks and the tears flow, there’s a part of me that sings. Because they made it. Against many odds, they survived. And now, they’re ready for their next adventure.
This is the goodbye we prepare for. This is the love we carry.
This is Amaris. - Promise of Hope
“Inspiring hope and healing for Australia’s wildlife, one rescue at a time.”
Khloe, Kalina and Katie