Wildlife Education

ROO GULLY WILDLIFE EDUCATION CENTRE

University students and graduates, schools, and other groups interested in Australian wildlife visit Roo Gully and most leave with a greater knowledge and a better understanding of the wildlife that shares our beautiful country.
University students and graduates also carry out their studies at Roo Gully

Schools and Groups

Student Studies

Why Schools & Organised groups
should visit Roo Gully

Your Visit

Admission Fees

What Else is on offer

How to Book

Where is Roo Gully

Observing wildlife has become more than just a hobby for us.
What began as an interest – a need to know so we could care for them better – has now become a life's work.
When we raised our first joey we knew nothing
and, not belonging to a network of carers at that time, we struggled to find sound information.
Many books we read contradicted each other,
and as Sadie grew she did things that some books stated kangaroos could not do.
After talking to those in the veterinary profession and zoology professors
we were amazed to discover how much is still unknown about marsupials, especially kangaroos.

Then we visited our local library and horrified by what we read in a book there
we decided to share what we learned with as many people as possible, especially school children.

We knew many myths and misconceptions surround Australian wildlife
and sadly even today much misinformation remains, as we found out.
When we flicked through that reference encyclopaedia in our local library
we were shocked to discover it stated under the heading of ‘Kangaroo’:
'a marsupial that gives birth after 60 days of gestation to a joey
that after two months is hopping in and out of the pouch'.
To our knowledge no kangaroo has a gestation period longer than thirty eight days,
and from our study into joey development the earliest a Western Grey opens its eyes is 164 days.
As for hopping in and out of the pouch we found, again with the Western Grey,
that the joey does not do this until it is nearly nine months old.

It made us very sad to think children doing projects on Australian wildlife
are probably being given high marks by teachers using information they find in some older books,
and sadly this still happens!

We have learned many things over the years by simply observing the kangaroos we have raised, and those born at Roo Gully, but we are the first to admit there is much more to learn.
Every day we see something new and by documenting such events, and then confirming our findings on film, we are able to pass on good information.

However, we would like to stress we do not profess to know all the answers,
but at Roo Gully we only pass on proven information.
Information gathered from reliable sources and from observation and studies carried out at Roo Gully.
And if we do not know the answer to any question?
Then we simply admit it, and promise that when we do know we will let you know.
Because we live with the wildlife at Roo Gully we are able to do this.

Your Visit - What Roo Gully offers to Schools and Organised Groups

Visits usually begin with a wildlife lecture.

These are given in a large room, which is separate to the house.
And you will also get the chance to watch one, or more, of our short educational, and fun, videos.

You will then meet the young joeys in care and hear their special Tales.

After a few cuddles it is then time to venture outside on a guided tour, and see the other animals and birds in care and meet the rest of our very special family down by the creek.
Your walk around Roo Gully will be fully supervised by the Roo Gully team.

Wildlife lectures at Roo Gully cover a wide range of Australian wildlife subjects,
including marsupials, monotremes, birds, reptiles, as well as wildlife care and the treatment of injuries and disease.
Please let us know if your school or group would like a particular wildlife lecture.

Admission Fees for Schools and Groups

Because school and organised group visits require many people to supervise,
and usually last for a few hours,
we ask for an admission fee of $3 per person.
This can be paid on the day of your visit, or at the time of booking.

What Else is Available

AT ROO GULLY

We have B-B-Q facilities and plenty of eating areas for those bringing a picnic,
and businesses in Boyup Brook can provide a buffet or sit down meals, at Roo Gully,
for any groups that require catering.
Please advise us when you book your visit.

IN BOYUP BROOK

Boyup Brook has many places to visit, eat and stay overnight.
For further information please contact the Boyup Brook Tourist Information Centre - (08) 97651444

How to Arrange Your Visit

It could not be easier.
Simply dial:
Phone: 08 97651514
Mobile: 0429651510
or write to
Roo Gully Wildlife Sanctuary
PO Box 52
Boyup Brook
Western Australia. 6244
or send us a message.

Why Study at Roo Gully

Information for Students

Information for Universities

Roo Gully carries out studies into marsupial behaviour, biology and development,
and we are willing to share our findings with you.

In 1997 we began a serious study into boomer doe behaviour.

And in 1999 we began our fascinating study into joey development, in which we followed the lives of 11 joeys all the way throughout their pouch life and beyond.

The beginning of this study was made into a film.
'Joeys - Wattle and Tingle's Tale', has interested many people, including scientists, worldwide.

Another ongoing study is female dominance within the mob and this is proving to be very interesting.

We observed, and filmed, the dominant female at Roo Gully actually teaching her daughter, Wattle, to be her ‘second in command’.
And yet when Sadie gave birth to a son, Jarrah, she did not teach him to be dominant.
This led on to our study into mob behaviour and roles within the mob.

In 2003 Roo Gully began working with the Department of Environmental Biology at Curtin University in Perth.

It is an association we hope continues for many years to come.

And in 2004 we formed a link with a scientist from Murdoch University, also in Perth,
who is carrying out research into macropod disease.

So what does the future hold for our studies?

We admit we are limited because we do not, and will not, do anything invasive with the animals in our care.
However when they are treated by our veterinary surgeons we take the opportunity to take blood samples, and to film any procedures.
The resulting videos are available to marsupial hospitals, universities, zoos and veterinary colleges.

Of course it will be years before we reach any conclusions,
or find the answers to other questions being raised, by our studies,
but it is work we will continue doing.

By continuing our studies we hope to further the understanding of kangaroo behaviour and biology,
and one day we dearly hope our work into joey development will eventually throw new light
onto the life of a young kangaroo, marsupials and maybe all developing young.

As well as our studies we also continue our work into improving methods of care,
the treatment of wildlife injuries and disease, and rehabilitation.

To give just one example, we have been working on the difficulties of raising very small pouched young. Conquering the problems of skin care, constant heat and humidity, and nutrition is paramount.
It might not seem important to be able to raise a young Western Grey joey, because currently their numbers are secure in the wild, but who knows what the future holds for any species, and if we perfect a technique with these then perhaps we can raise other species that are threatened with extinction.

All the information we glean from our work, and are given by other carers, will be added
to the Australia wildlife data base hosted on this web site.
The data base will never be completed because new information will be coming in all the time,
and it will take many years to build a comprehensive data base that will help everyone,
but we hope it will begin helping people successfully raise, and treat, many species of Australian wildlife.

Information for Students

Students can be a part of all this.
If you are studying animal science, welfare or behaviour,
and have an interest in Australian wildlife,
we invite you to carry out your study, or even your work base learning, at Roo Gully.

Students become involved in our work at Roo Gully, and when not studying help out as volunteers, which gives them varied experience of working in a wildlife sanctuary.

They also get the chance to learn about wildlife disease and the treatment of injuries,
which is beneficial to those thinking of entering veterinary science.

And of course students find that members of our special family are ideal subjects for their studies.

The Roo Gully mob includes kangaroos that were hand raised
and some that were born here and raised by their own mothers.
All live a natural life in the environment provided for them at Roo Gully,
which is a combination of native bush and pasture.
The kangaroos that want to associate with humans do, and those that do not don't.
Although some are wary if approached by humans,
all the kangaroos are used to seeing people on the property
and therefore do not alter their behaviour when filmed or observed.
This makes them ideal study subjects.

Students also get the chance to work with various species of Australian wildlife,
and get the unique opportunity to interact with our more social kangaroos.

And of course all students fall in love with the young joeys being cared for inside the house.

Information for Universities

Roo Gully works with students, sharing findings from our studies,
giving a full history of all the kangaroos living with us, and advising students with their studies.
We also available to discuss any matter with the student's university and supervising tutor.

Ground breaking research and studies are being carried out at Roo Gully
therefore students are presented with the opportunity to contribute greatly to the understanding
of Australian wildlife, their behaviour, biology, development and their environment.
Many of these studies are pioneering research,
which gives your student, and your university, the opportunity to be involved in this exciting work.

After forming close association with universities in Australia
we have been able to affiliate some student studies to research all ready in progress at Australian universities.
This gives these students the opportunity to have their work included in future published scientific papers.

If you require any further information please contact us.

We advise all students wishing to carry out a study at Roo Gully
visit our Volunteer page.
This page with give you all the information you need before you fill out the application form,
which is at the bottom of that page.