Roo Road Rescue
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Meet the wildlife of Roo Road Rescue

Eight Australian animals you meet on the road in the game, and on real road trips: where they live, what makes them special, and how to slow down for them.

Many Australian animals are most active around dawn and dusk, which is also when drivers can see them least. In Roo Road Rescue you earn points for slowing down and keeping animals safe. These pages are the real-life version of the same idea.

Eastern grey kangaroo

Eastern grey kangaroo

Macropus giganteus · Found: East coast & Tasmania

  • Grazes at dawn and dusk, the riskiest hours on the road.
  • Lives in mobs, so where one crosses, more often follow.
On the roadSlow down near yellow roo signs, especially at dusk.
Common wombat

Common wombat

Vombatus ursinus · Found: South-east & Tasmania

  • Leaves cube-shaped droppings to mark its patch.
  • Mostly out at night, low to the ground and hard to see.
On the roadWatch for low, dark shapes on country roads after dark.
Koala

Koala

Phascolarctos cinereus · Found: Eastern Australia

  • Sleeps up to 20 hours a day on a diet of gum leaves.
  • Comes down to the ground to move between trees, often in spring and summer.
On the roadIf one is on the road, stop safely and call a wildlife rescue.
Short-beaked echidna

Short-beaked echidna

Tachyglossus aculeatus · Found: All over Australia

  • One of the few mammals that lay eggs, along with the platypus.
  • Rolls into a spiky ball or digs in when frightened.
On the roadGive it time. It will not run, it will dig in.
Emu

Emu

Dromaius novaehollandiae · Found: Most of the mainland

  • Australia's tallest bird, up to about 1.9 m.
  • Can sprint at around 50 km/h, but cannot fly.
On the roadEmus change direction fast. Slow right down.
Common brushtail possum

Common brushtail possum

Trichosurus vulpecula · Found: Across Australia, even cities

  • Nocturnal, and right at home in backyards and roofs.
  • Uses its long, bushy tail to grip branches.
On the roadWatch the road edges in town at night.
Lace monitor

Lace monitor

Varanus varius · Found: Eastern Australia

  • Can grow to about 2 m long.
  • Warms up on sunny roads, which puts it in harm's way.
On the roadLook out for long, low shapes on warm days.
Southern cassowary

Southern cassowary

Casuarius casuarius · Found: Tropical north Queensland

  • Endangered. Cars are one of the biggest threats to it.
  • Spreads the seeds of many rainforest plants.
On the roadObey cassowary crossing signs, and never feed one.

On real roads: slow down where you see the yellow wildlife signs, and only stop where it is safe. If you find injured wildlife, call your state's wildlife rescue service.

Ready to meet them behind the wheel? Drive the Big Lap around Highway 1 and fill in your Rescue Book.

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