Teesh Foy was alert as she drove through the suburbs of Perth, Australia, guided by her father, a dedicated animal advocate. She was on a mission to assist an animal in distress, her eyes fixed on the side of the road, alert for any signs of trouble.
Her attention quickly fell on a baby kangaroo, lost and alone, walking through an orchard while calling out sadly for its mother. Foy and her husband quickly sprang into action, trying to gently guide Joey into a makeshift bag they had prepared. The little kangaroo, frightened and agile, rushed deeper into the orchard, evading their rescue efforts.
“I felt my heart clench with every cry of fear he made,” Foy told
Perseverance paid off as Foy and her husband continued their efforts. Exhausted and hungry, the kangaroo finally realized Foy’s intentions and let her gently pick him up. In Foy’s experienced and caring arms, the kangaroo finds solace and comfort as he snuggles into her embrace.
The kangaroo, whom Foy named Archie, was still very nervous when he got to Foy’s house. In the wild, joeys live in their mothers’ pouches for the first six to nine months of their lives. Archie missed the warmth and safety of his mom. Luckily, Foy was happy to act as Archie’s adopted mother. She held Archie close to her chest so he’d feel secure and gave him all the affection he was missing.
“I would catch him and cuddle and kiss him,” Foy said. “He just loved the closeness.”
Foy soon connected with Shane Williams, who runs Bridgetown Wildlife Rescue. Williams had the knowledge, space and resources to ensure Archie got the care he needed before being safely released back into the wild. Foy was sad to leave Archie but knew it was for the best.
“Making this decision was difficult and heartbreaking, but I knew it was the right decision,” Foy said. “I only had him for 10 days, but he stole my heart so quickly.”
At the sanctuary, Archie’s been able to form friendships with other rescued kangaroos. These kangaroos will eventually create their own community, or “mob,” and once they’re ready, will be released into the wild together.
“Kangaroos are highly social, and thrive with a mob,” Williams told The Dodo. “Archie now has a ready-made mob, his siblings.”
Archie has been enjoying all the activities that kangaroos love to do — playing, eating, sleeping and lazing around with his friends, just as he would’ve done in the wild. Williams is so proud of Archie’s resilience. He’s been through so much but has maintained the kindest attitude.
“Archie is very gentle,” Williams said. “All he wants is to be loved.”
