Our People
12 August, 2026
Wildlife carer calls it a day
AFTER more than two decades rescuing and rehabilitating injured native wildlife, local wildlife carer Esther Hands is stepping back, passing the reins to fellow foster carer Naomi Moodie.
Ms Hands said her journey into wildlife care began unexpectedly after a joey was found following a collision with a kangaroo and a desperate plea.
“I've always had a passion for animals anyway, my daughter at the time was going out with a fella and they hit a kangaroo that had a joey,” she said.
“I was always bringing turtles, frogs home. That's how I got into the kangaroos."
Over the past 20 years, Ms Hands has cared for an extensive range of native animals, including kangaroos, birds, sugar gliders, brush-tailed and ring-tailed possums, feathertail gliders, echidnas and wallabies.
“Wallabies are naughty. They jump up on top of cupboards,” she laughed.
“My favourite thing to do is the sugar gliders. They are amazing. Again, they are naughty too.”
While she has loved every minute of the work, Ms Hands said it was time to slow down.
“They come in, they are like a baby, four-hour feeds. Once you've done that for 20 years, I've had enough,” she said.
“I am retiring and passing it over to Naomi. I won't retire 100 per cent, there will always be someone around. At least I'll have the contacts where to take them, who to take them to if it needs to be euthanised, if it needs vet care.”
Ms Hands said wildlife rehabilitation was rewarding, but it came with significant costs and commitment.
“A lot of expense is involved because there is no funding,” she said.
“A 20kg bag of milk is close to $600. I've just released five kangaroos and I reckon in 18 months I would have gone through six bags.”
She said feeding equipment also needed regular replacement. Teats now cost over $2, which are replaced every three days.
Providing rescue for injured animals between Ararat and Ballarat, Ms Hands has rehabilitated countless native animals over the years, including eight kangaroos released back into the wild in the past three years alone.
“Our aim is to rescue, rehabilitate, and release.”
Although releasing animals is always the goal, Ms Hands said some still returned to visit.
“It's nice to see them go, but they never fully go,” she said.
“There's one, Bella, who's been coming around for a few years and is here every morning for a feed.”
As she hands over the role, Ms Hands said dedicated carers remain in short supply.
“There's quite a few shelters around now,” she said.
“Once Naomi's been a carer for a couple of years she can apply and become her own shelter and then have carers under her.”
Ms Moodie said she first connected with Ms Hands after hearing about her work in the local area.
“I knew about Esther in the local area and asked if I could come out and help,” she said. “I think it's just nice to have community and have support so if you need a break. It's better to have a few people helping each other out.”
Now caring for two joeys of her own, Ms Moodie said each animal was unique.
“They all have different personalities,” she said.
Ms Hands also encouraged motorists to be prepared if they encounter injured wildlife.
“At the op shop near the traffic lights, we have what we call a rescue kit,” she said.
“It's two pillowcases and a card with instructions on who to call and what to do. It takes two seconds to check a pouch. If you can't stop, ring someone and pinpoint where it is. It's as easy as that.”
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