Wildlife conservationist explains why seemingly 'weird' way to pick up baby kangaroo is 'safest'

Julia Huber, an animal conservationist, has shared a video of how she lifts a kangaroo joey by it's tail

PUBLISHED MAR 31, 2023

Wildlife conservationist Julia Huber handles a baby kangaroo by grabbing its tail (@huawarin/Instagram)

WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Video of a wildlife conservationist activist grabbing a baby kangaroo by the tail has raised some questions. Julia Huber, who lives in Western Australia, was surprised at the amount of attention the video showing her holding the joey in her arms attracted. It video was apparently taken at a kangaroo resort.

In the video, the 25-year-old can be seen grabbing the joey by the tail and letting it hang briefly before taking it into her arms. "It looks weird and cruel, if you see that this is how we pick up kangaroo joeys, but, it’s actually the safest way without hurting them!" the volunteer said in the caption of her Instagram post.

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'Always grab their tail first'

"Their tail is the strongest part of their body. Young joeys have a very delicate rib cage this is why we only support their body on the rib while the main weight of his body will be held by it’s tail. If you ever have to catch a joey to rescue it and you want to do it safely: Always grab their tail first," Huber advised. "If they are very scared of you, they might kick around and try to get away, hurting you and themselves. So if you only have the tail they can’t do much. Then use your second hand and put it gently on their ribs/belly. Turn him around like a baby — if you did it right, you can hold your joey without hurting him," she added.

'The best thing for injured joey is to put it in a pouch'

She further advised, "If you ever find a stranded/injured joey, the best thing is actually to put it in a pouch. This could temporarily be anything - a pillowcase, a t-shirt. Just something warm, where it can hide and feels a little comfort reminding it of it’s mums pouch." She pleaded with her followers to bring the animal to a local shelter as "they have the skills and tools to look after the kangaroo properly." "Some people mean well by trying to raise the joey on it’s own, but kangaroos are delicate animals who need lots of care. If you have no idea how to raise a roo, don't be selfish and keep it," she added.