Kangaroo Sanctuary & Wildlife Rescue: Alice Springs, Australia | Day 16

Alice Springs, Australia – A TikTok video showcasing an experience at The Kangaroo Sanctuary in Alice Springs has brought renewed attention to the wildlife rescue and rehabilitation efforts of Chris ‘Brolga’ Barns and his team. The sanctuary, established in 2011, rescues and cares for orphaned and injured kangaroos.

The TikTok, posted on April 29, 2026, highlights a visit to the sanctuary, prompting users to share their experiences and learn more about the organization’s work. The Kangaroo Sanctuary offers guided sunset tours where visitors can interact with kangaroos, including holding baby kangaroos.

Origins and Mission

Chris ‘Brolga’ Barns initially founded the Baby Kangaroo Rescue Centre in Alice Springs in 2005. He later built The Kangaroo Sanctuary Alice Springs, a 188-acre wildlife sanctuary, opening it in 2011. According to the sanctuary’s website, its mission is to “educate and encourage people to rescue and care for kangaroos and other wildlife and animals,” with a motto of “Animals Come First.”

The sanctuary’s work gained international recognition with the 2013 BBC UK / National Geographic USA documentary, Kangaroo Dundee, which follows the lives of the rescued kangaroos and other wildlife. The documentary has been shown in over 90 countries and is currently in its third series.

Rescue and Rehabilitation Efforts

In 2015, Barns and Tahnee established Central Australia’s first Kangaroo Rescue Centre, supported by donations and tour revenue. The sanctuary relies on donations to continue operating both the sanctuary and the rescue centre, providing care for orphaned and adult kangaroos.

The sanctuary’s efforts are particularly crucial given wildlife policy in South Australia, which restricts the release of rehabilitated macropods back into the wild. This often leaves orphaned joeys with limited sanctuary options. Pouchie.z Kangaroo Sanctuary & Wildlife Rescue, a non-profit charity in South Australia, also provides 24/7 wildlife rescue services specializing in macropod care.

Pouchie.z Kangaroo Sanctuary & Wildlife Rescue highlights the story of Ruby, a kangaroo who suffered multiple fractures after her mother was hit by a car. Ruby required extensive veterinary care and ongoing support due to her injuries, demonstrating the long-term commitment required for rescuing and rehabilitating kangaroos.

Upcoming Film Production

A family film titled Kangaroo, starring Ryan Corr, is currently in production in the Northern Territory, further highlighting the region’s wildlife and conservation efforts.

The Kangaroo Sanctuary can be visited on guided sunset tours, which are available on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. More information about the sanctuary and its work can be found on its website: https://kangaroosanctuary.com/.

For wildlife emergencies in South Australia, contact Pouchie.z Kangaroo Sanctuary & Wildlife Rescue’s 24/7 hotline at +61423633937.