Frequently Asked Questions

About The Kangaroo Sanctuary

I want to volunteer! 

To volunteer at our sanctuary you need to: commit to a minimum of 2 days per week for a minimum of 3 months and have your own transport and accommodation.

We don’t have paid or volunteer roles at the moment. When volunteer roles become available we advertise on our website, Facebook and Instagram pages.

We encourage you to volunteer as a wildlife carer in your local area. Contact your local wildlife carers group (contact your local vet or Parks and Wildlife to obtain details of your local wildlife carers group). There are thousands of wonderful, kind and giving wildlife carers across Australia. You can also contact your local animal shelter to volunteer.

Why are you called Brolga?

My real name is Chris Barns, but most people call me Brolga (I am also called Kangaroo Dundee). When I was working as a tour guide many years ago in spectacular Kakadu National Park, I became friends with a beautiful old aboriginal man. As soon as we met he laughed and said I looked like a brolga because I am very tall (6ft 7)…just like a brolga, which is an Australian stork (a tall bird with long legs). Later when we became very good friends, he showed me a traditional aboriginal brolga dance. I feel privileged to be called Brolga and to have been shown this special dance.

Can I visit the Sanctuary?

Yes, you can visit the Sanctuary on one of our pre-booked guided sunset tours.  For more information click on the Visit our Kangaroos heading at the top of this page.

Do you sell kangaroo photos and videos?

Yes, we sell photos and videos. If you are interested in a particular photo/s or video/s email your request to tahnee@centrebushbus.com.au for pricing, providing details of particular usage e.g. online magazine article, television show one-off, travel magazine.

I’ve seen a kangaroo on the road that has been hit by a vehicle.­ What do I do? How do I rescue a baby kangaroo if there is one in mum kangaroos pouch?

Sometimes in Australia, you may come across a kangaroo that has been hit by a vehicle and is laying on the road. Please check the dead kangaroo as there may be a baby kangaroo (joey) alive in the pouch of the kangaroo. Here is what you can do:

  • Take care of your safety first and park somewhere safe.
  • Approach the kangaroo and check if it has a pouch – this is located on the lower stomach between its legs. There may be an orphan baby kangaroo alive inside.
  • Carefully open the pouch. If there is a baby kangaroo inside, cup your hands under the baby (if they are not attached to a teat) and place the baby into a ‘pouch’ – this could be your shirt, a cotton bag, etc. Hold the baby close to you for warmth and heartbeat.
  • Drag the dead kangaroo by the tail at least 10 metres off the road.  This will ensure that other wildlife such as dingoes or wedge tailed eagles (who will feed on the dead kangaroo) will not be hit and killed by passing vehicles.  By dragging the kangaroo off the road, you are preventing other wildlife from being killed.
  • Take the baby kangaroo to the nearest vet or ask locals how to contact the closest wildlife carers group (or google for information). All zoos and wildlife parks can be contacted for advice on what to do. Please do not feed the baby unless you are very remote. In this situation phone the closest vet or wildlife carers group to ask what to do until you get the baby kangaroo to a vet or trained wildlife carer. In that situation you can cup some water into your hands to see if the baby kangaroo would like to lap.