laanecoorie

It all began with Molly.  I never thought I would become so involved in the lives of the kangaroo when I first moved to this property, until Molly (R.I.P).  It was the death of her mum Rosie that brought about the changes in my life and the unexpected realization that the 'kangaroo' was much more complex, unique, gentle and a loving animal to those that raise them.  They stress you with worry, they make you laugh at their antics but what you don't expect is that they make you fall in love with them.  Truly an amazing animal.  I hope you enjoy the journey of Molly and all those that followed.

Molly - The Beginning

 Molly's Story

For two nights I noticed Rosie was not coming to the house as she would normally do but was hanging back away from the mob. She did though turn up alone mid day to lay under a tree close to the house and would not move if I came close. An unusual behaviour for a wild kangaroo.  Then the following night I noticed a joey on her own and no Rosie.  At this stage I knew absolutely nothing about kangaroos but I just had a feeling that something was wrong.  As darkness was closing in there was nothing I could do and the next day I had to leave early and wouldn't be home until the afternoon.  I prayed the joey, and Rosie were okay.  I was anxious all day and couldn't wait to get home.  Thankfully when I did my son Kris was home too so we decided to do a sweep through the bush next door starting from the road.  Just as I thought that this was not going to work I stumbled upon Rosie, dead, and little Molly curled up in the protection of her dead mum's body.  It was a sight, that 7 years on, still brings tears to my eyes.  Molly looked so tiny, vulnerable and lonely sleeping snuggled up so close to her dead mum Rosie.  Naturally, I startled her and she hopped away from her mum and watched from a distance at what we were doing.  Now the problem was 'what do we do?'  It was decided that since Rosie had died close to a tree and some bushes that we would erect a mesh fence around her and the tree.  This was done and a part of the fence was buried under leaves and branches.  Food and water was put inside just encase this idea didn't work first time and daylight was rapidly fading.  All was in readiness and the plan was that one would go in and grab her, whilst the other pulled up the buried part of the fencing.  We had to be able to act very fast.  We then hid behind a tree and patiently waited for Molly to go back to her mum's body for her protection.  To our amazement she did and when she was preoccupied with snuggling up to mum we jumped into action.  One grabbed Molly, to her horror and protests whilst the other pulled up the fence encase she escaped from the loving arms that were trying to save her.  We had blankets on hand and quickly wrapped her up to try and calm her and take her home.

On the 12th October 2005 I found myself holding a little joey (the above photo is the exact moment), I looked into her eyes - and fell in love.   This was the beginning of understanding the true wonder of the kangaroo and knowing that for the rest of my life I would, in some way, be involved and in love with this absolutely gorgeous creature.