Treating patients @Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital

Thor the beautiful red-legged pademelon is as strong as his name suggests, surviving three days on his own after losing his mum. 

Rangers from the Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve were called to Thor’s mum’s rescue after she was hit by a car. Upon inspection, they noticed her pouch showed signs of having a joey, but there was none in sight. Suspecting that he had been thrown from the pouch during the collision, they searched the area surrounding the accident and astonishingly managed to find him days later. 

Cold, hungry and terrified, they wrapped him in a warm blanket and rushed him to the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital. Upon examination it appeared Thor may have had a suspected gastric torsion. Dr Ludo rushed him into surgery, thankfully confirming there weren't any ruptures. 

Thor was transferred to the Nursery ICU with pain relief, anti-inflammatories and fluids to aid recovery. Once his condition stabilised, Thor was transferred to a specialised wildlife carer to provide him with the long-term love and support he needs to be able to return to the wild.

FACT: Pademelons are some of the smaller members of the Macropodidae family. The red-legged pademelon is found across the East Coast of Australia, more commonly the northern regions.