It’s a scene that’s become heartbreakingly familiar on Australian roads: a lone joey, wide-eyed and bewildered, sits beside the body of its mother, struck down by a passing car.
For many of us, these moments are a stark reminder of the delicate balance between our daily commutes and the wildlife that calls this country home.
But for residents and wildlife rescuers along Victoria’s Wellington Road, this isn’t just an occasional tragedy—it’s a crisis spiralling out of control.
Recently, local woman Vicki stumbled upon just such a scene. The mother kangaroo, fatally injured, lay metres from the road, while her joey lingered nearby, dazed and vulnerable.
The driver responsible had not stopped, leaving the animals to their fate. It was only when Vicki arrived that help was finally summoned, and the mother was humanely euthanised.
Sue Johnston, who runs a kangaroo rescue and rehabilitation centre in the region, says these incidents are becoming all too common.
‘The little baby was just sitting there, watching the traffic. It’s a powerful, haunting photo,’ she told reporters. And it’s not just a matter of animal welfare—these collisions are putting drivers at risk, too.
Why is this happening?
A perfect storm of drought, habitat loss, and relentless development is pushing kangaroo populations closer to busy roads in search of food and water.
As their natural habitats shrink, the risk of wildlife-vehicle collisions soars.
Wellington Road, which skirts the bushland of Lysterfield Park, has become a hotspot for these tragic encounters.
Wildlife rescuer Lea Sultana, who has been tracking roadkill data for over a year, paints a grim picture.
‘In June alone, in just a small section of Wellington Road, 38 kangaroos have died. The numbers are absolutely staggering,’ she says.
Using the iNaturalist app, Lea has catalogued each incident, creating a sobering record of the crisis.
But the problem isn’t just the frequency of strikes—it’s the lack of response. ‘No one is calling them in, they’re leaving the animals half dead,’ Lea laments.
Not only does this prolong the suffering of injured wildlife, but it also increases the risk for other drivers who may swerve to avoid animals or encounter unexpected hazards.
What are the rules—and what can you do?
Under Section 61 of the Road Safety Act, it’s your legal responsibility to stop and render assistance if you hit an animal.
But as Sue Johnston points out, ‘I’m not asking you to rescue the kangaroo… just make a simple phone call.’
Reporting the incident can mean the difference between life and death for injured wildlife, and it helps authorities track and address problem areas.
If you ever find yourself in this situation, here’s what you should do:
- Pull over safely and turn on your hazard lights.
- Do not approach large injured animals (like kangaroos or wombats), as they can be dangerous when frightened or in pain.
- Call a local wildlife rescue group or the relevant state wildlife hotline.
- If safe, check for joeys in the pouch or nearby—rescuers can guide you on what to do next.
A call for smarter solutions: Virtual fencing and beyond
While individual action is vital, many believe the real solution lies in better infrastructure. One promising technology is ‘virtual fencing’—roadside posts equipped with sensors that detect oncoming vehicles at night and emit lights and sounds to deter animals from crossing.
When VicRoads first installed virtual fencing along Wellington Road, locals noticed an immediate drop in wildlife strikes.
Lea recalls, ‘When Casey put in the first 1km along a little stretch near me, we were rescuing 83 kangaroos a year on average along that 1km stretch of road, and when the virtual fencing went in, it dropped down to 12. It was amazing.’
Unfortunately, years of neglect and lack of funding have left these systems in disrepair, and the toll on wildlife has climbed once again.
Despite a state parliamentary inquiry into wildlife road strikes—one that’s received over 300 submissions and is exploring everything from volunteer networks to new technologies—rescuers say more needs to be done, and urgently.
Lea has even launched a petition, now with nearly 3,000 signatures, calling for renewed investment in virtual fencing and other preventative measures.
The human cost: More than just wildlife at risk
It’s easy to see this as a wildlife issue, but the reality is that these collisions can have devastating consequences for people, too.
Swerving to avoid an animal or hitting a large kangaroo at speed can cause serious accidents, injuries, and even fatalities. The trauma of such incidents can linger long after the road is cleared.
As the parliamentary inquiry continues, there’s hope that a combination of public pressure, technological innovation, and government action will finally turn the tide.
But until then, the responsibility falls to all of us—drivers, residents, and policymakers alike—to do what we can to protect both our wildlife and ourselves.
Have your say
Have you encountered wildlife on the road, or been involved in a collision? What do you think should be done to make our highways safer for both animals and drivers?
Have you seen virtual fencing in action, or do you have other ideas for preventing these tragedies? Share your stories and suggestions in the comments below—your voice could help shape a safer future for everyone on our roads.
Also read: ‘About time’: Major change on Australian roads to save wildlife is underway
