FIRST ARRIVAL FOR 2008 WINTER. 

On Saturday 27th July, 2008 we took delivery of a very marginal Western Grey Kangaroo "Pinky" whose mum had been killed by a car in the Seaton/Ross Forest,  approx 20kms south of Bridgetown.  Thanks to a diligent family who checked the pouch and then spent 40 minutes waiting for Sheila to meet them in  Bridgetown to take the joey off their hands, we still have "Cadel" a 425 gram pinky on arrival, who at least gave Sheila something to do whilst staying up and watching the finals of "The Tour de France".  Now, 5 days later, "Cadel" weighs 480grams and is developing whiskers around his mouth and is thinking about open ing his eyes.  He continues to feed extremely well and is a very cool, albeit a very pink, dude.

Although he is an"esky raised pinky" he is starting to develop dry  on one foot.  Mum's pouch is humid and contains natural oils and often  orphan "pinky's" need artificial oiling. The humid conditions of the esky mimic the pouch, but sometimes we need also to oil the pinky to keep skin in good condition.I have started to do so today on this foot. Joeys hate oiling initially, and I always hold back to see if they are likely to survive, because in the early days it is all about quality of life, and if the are NOT going to live, why subject them to an invasive proceedure.

For anyone interested, I have pretty much demand fed "Cadel" on Formular 1  who has vigorously fed from day one and has increased bodyweight significantly: now 480grams on day 5.  He lost 12grams on the first day and then gained significantlyfrom then on..   I  look forward to him reaching the magic 550gram weight which makes him much more viable, and then of course, if all goes well, at around 1kg the hair will start to grow.