Meeka's Tale

Meeka arrived to live at Roo Gully on Tuesday 23rd July 2002.
Her Tale reveals the worst side of human beings, but also the very best side.

A woman, visiting the town of Meekatharra, was horrified to see a group of children swinging
a little Red kangaroo around by the tail and using her as a ball in a game of 'catch'.
Meeka's immediate safety was assured when the woman paid the kids $12.50 for the little roo.

Tucking Meeka down her shirt
the woman smuggled her little baby aboard a coach to Perth.

Safely back home the woman soon discovered that caring for a young joey is very time consuming,
and rang Roo Gully asking us if we would care for 'a little Grey kangaroo with stripes on its nose'.
We had our suspicions that this little roo was in fact a Blue Flyer.
Female Red kangaroos are often a steel blue colour
and because these young does are very swift they were nicknamed the Blue Flyers.

She bonded well with us, and gained weight quickly.
She was very confident and as we soon found out
our little Blue Flyer was so very, very cheeky!

Meeka was also an inquisitive little roo, who just loved to be involved in everything,
but we often thought we could complete the housework much faster without her 'help'!

She was a very active little joey,
and when she was outside was often looking around, planning her next adventure.

But she always ran back to the safety of people.

Even though she as always getting into trouble Meeka was a born comedian,
and everyone loved her.

And after a day of caring for Meeka we were all exhausted.
Fortunately Meeka was exhausted too!

It was fantastic to share our home with Meeka,
but like all young joeys the time arrived
when she realised she was really a young roo
and not a human. She was growing up.

In typical Meeka style she threw herself into life with the mob as enthusiastically
as she had joined in our human activities, and the young boys just loved their new playmate.

But then we really should not have expected the usual with Meeka.
After all she was never was a 'normal' joey! And Meeka will never be a 'normal' kangaroo.
She was born with that certain 'something' that will always make her different.

Meeka had a very healthy first year at Roo Gully, with no need for any veterinary treatment.
However she was involved in one serious incident which was worrying.

Our region was hit by a ferocious winter storm
that caused severe flooding.

Meeka was missing.
She was later discovered stranded on a small island of dry land surrounded by water.
Thankfully, because she trusted humans, we were able to carry her to safety

Given the chance would sneak into the house
and make herself very comfortable on a bed.

And she is still as inquisitive as ever.

She is always looking for a new play mate,
as Toby our one and only sheep found out

But Meeka's best mates are the other two Red kangaroos living at Roo Gully, Hoppy and Randy.
Because she was raised with Western Grey joeys we wondered if she would eventually realise
she was a different species and finally team up with our Red boys.

And she did - much to Randy's disgust!

Like a love sick teenager she is always tagging along behind him,
and he often reminds her just who is the boss.

But more than anything else Meeka has never stopped loving those who help care for her.
She has a heart full of love and plenty of kisses to give.

When Roo Gully began the 'adoption' programme it was intended that money raised
would be used to help feed and care for sick, injured and orphaned wildlife,
and also pay for their veterinary treatment.
It costs, on average, Au$1000 to raise each joey and we are grateful to every 'adopter'
who has helped us raise the many joeys who have needed our help since the 2002 season.

However after the horrendous storms we encountered in the winter of 2003
we also know money raised from 'adoptions' should also be used to improve safety
for all the kangaroos and other animals at our wildlife sanctuary.
The creek, which runs through the middle of Roo Gully, offers food, shelter
and a natural environment for all wildlife, which they love,
but it is also dangerous, especially during the rains.
Even though the floods usually subside within days
they also used to cut down the land available to the roos within their fenced area,
so we started an appeal on our web site in the hope we could raise the money needed
to increase this area from 12 to over 20 acres.
And thanks to many 'adopters', and others who donated money, we did it!
Click here to see how your money was spent.

And we are also delighted to announce that we have since raised enough money
to purchase new pipes for the creek, which will improve the flow of the creek under the crossings,
and therefore hopefully prevent major flooding in the future.

This has only been possible because of people 'adopting',
and we thank you all sincerely.

On behalf of Meeka and her mates we thank you for caring