Warning after wallaby rescue

A local wildlife rehabilitator has urged people to abide by the law if they come across native animals after a man allegedly tried to sell a wallaby joey on a Broome social media website.

Kimberley Wildlife Rehabilitation carers are currently looking after the baby agile wallaby after it was rescued by Department of Parks and Wildlife officers and Broome Police from a carpark on April 24.

The operation was carried out after DPaW received complaints from local residents about a man trying to selling a wallaby on a Facebook page for $3500.

Mrs Martin, who has been a carer for more than 20 years, said this was the first time she had come across an incident of this nature.

She said it served as a warning to people about handling wildlife and the consequences of breaking the law.

During her career, Mrs Martin has looked after hundreds of animals including wallabies, quolls, tree rats, bilbies and bats and said it was not uncommon to find injured or orphaned wildlife.

Despite this particular incident, Mrs Martin said most people had "good intentions" when it came to looking after a native animal.

However, she warned that without adequate knowledge and experience, the animal's life was at risk.

"Under the legislation, at the moment, the public can care for an orphaned or injured wildlife until it can be given to a DPaW registered wildlife rehabilitator," she said.

"The Kimberley Wildlife Rehabilitators and a DPaW wildlife officer must be informed immediately after the animal is found.

"The animal must be in the care of a registered wildlife rehabilitator as soon as possible."

Anyone interested in becoming a carer with KWR should contact her on 0428 860 014.