At Monk Park Farm in Thirsk, an extraordinary tale of survival and dedication has captured the hearts of visitors and animal lovers alike. Roo, a tiny wallaby joey, has gone from a vulnerable orphan to a thriving young wallaby in a story that has now reached national attention.
The journey began with heartbreak when farm keepers noticed Juliette, one of their adult female wallabies, displaying erratic behaviour and refusing to eat. Despite expert intervention, Juliette’s condition worsened, and she was diagnosed with a severe neurological issue. The team had no choice but to put her to sleep. However, before saying their final goodbye, they suspected she might have a joey hidden in her pouch. Their instincts proved right as they carefully discovered a tiny, hairless male joey—immediately setting off a race to save his life.
Raising a wallaby joey is no small feat, especially in the UK, where native expertise is limited. The Monk Park Farm team turned to Australian resources to learn how to care for him. They discovered that joeys require a warm, pouch-like environment at a constant temperature of 32°C and a lactose-free milk diet. With experience raising orphaned lambs and piglets, the team sprang into action, creating a heated storage box to act as a pouch and using a pet carry sling for daytime warmth.
Feeding proved another challenge. Roo had to be fed every few hours using a syringe, mimicking how he would naturally feed from his mother. He struggled at first, refusing to suckle, but patience and dedication saw him gradually learn to drink from tiny bottles.
Caring for Roo became a round-the-clock job. He needed to be fed regularly, amounting to 10% of his body weight daily and required help with toileting as he was too young to manage on his own. As he grew, his habitat was upgraded, and he hit major milestones, including his first audible “chuff” and a steady weight gain from 440g to over 500g.
Because Roo lacked fur and couldn’t regulate his body temperature, the team had to keep him warm at all times. Farmer Lauren devised an ingenious solution—a custom-made swaddle sling that allowed her to carry Roo under her jumper while going about her day. Whether she was working on the farm, shopping, attending a baby shower, or even dining out, Roo was right there with her.
Roo quickly became a star at Monk Park Farm, with visitors eagerly following his journey through social media updates from Farmer Mark and Farmer Lauren. His incredible story spread far and wide, making him a media sensation with features on the BBC, ITV, Channel 5, GB News, and in newspapers nationwide. These days, Farmer Lauren is often stopped in the street by people hoping to catch a glimpse of Roo!
As he continues to grow, the hope is that Roo will eventually integrate with the other wallabies at Monk Park Farm. However, his close bond with his human carers means he may remain a beloved farm ambassador, interacting with visitors and raising awareness about his incredible journey.
No matter what the future holds, one thing is certain—Roo has defied the odds, and his story has touched countless hearts. Follow Monk Park Farm on social media to keep up with Roo’s latest adventures!
