Recently, Julie, a volunteer rescuer with WIRES Wildlife Rescue in Australia, received news of a large wild animal trapped under a cattle grate on a nearby property. Daylight was already waning, and Julie knew she had to act fast.

She grabbed her husband and hopped in the car.

kangaroo trapped under cattle grate WIRES

When the couple arrived an hour later, it was already dark. They spoke to the caller and learned everything they could. Apparently, the Good Samaritan had noticed the animal — an eastern gray kangaroo — near the cattle grate that morning. They assumed the ‘roo would scramble off on her own, but later that day, when they returned from work, they were heartbroken to find she was still there.

This time, they decided to call for expert help.

kangaroo trapped in grate WIRES

By this point, the kangaroo was trapped even farther beneath the grate, shivering in fear as cars drove over her head.

Julie and her husband surveyed the scene and determined the best course of action.

“There was only one way to rescue her — dig through the side and make a hole large enough for Julie to crawl in and maneuver the ‘roo out,” a WIRES representative told The Dodo.

kangaroo under grate WIRES

The kangaroo would need to be sedated during the rescue to ensure she didn’t injure herself or her rescuers. With help from a local veterinarian, Julie and her husband determined the best dose and safely sedated the ‘roo, sending her into a peaceful sleep.

Using shovels donated by the property owner, the rescuers dug an access hole through the side of the grate and gently pulled the kangaroo out.

woman examining kangaroo WIRES

Julie and her husband situated the sleeping ‘roo near the grate. For hours, they watched her gentle breathing, waiting for her to wake up. Finally, around midnight, the kangaroo began to stir. She blinked her eyes open, looked around and realized that she was finally free.

The grateful kangaroo hopped up and bounded away, headed across the familiar expanse toward her family.

Thanks to the dedication of her rescuers, she was free at last, enjoying a second chance at life in the wild.

To help other animals like this kangaroo, you can donate to WIRES. Rescuers See Kangaroo Struggling With His Foot And Realize Something Is WrongRescuers See Kangaroo Struggling With His Foot And Realize Something Is WrongHe’d been getting worse over several days.