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Wildlife Pouches
Wildlife pouches are specially designed to mimic the natural pouches of marsupial mothers, providing a snug and safe haven for orphaned or injured juvenile animals. These pouches serve as a temporary home where the young can feel secure and continue their development until they are ready to be released back into the wild.
This project is super simple and a great choice for beginners. If you choose to make a variety of wildlife pouches and want to contribute to a wonderful cause, donate them to charity!
DID YOU KNOW? The term ‘joey’ refers to the young of any marsupial such as baby possums, gliders, kangaroos, wallabies, koalas and bandicoots!
We'd like to thank Wildcare Australia Inc for providing the instructions for this project and allowing us to get involved.
Fabric Needed:
- Preferably fabric made from soft natural fibres such as 100% cotton. Suitable types of cotton include t-shirt/knit material or cotton flannelette
- Unfurred joeys have sensitive and delicate skin so the fabric needs to be soft to avoid irritation.
- Your fabric does not need to be brand new, good quality second-hand fabrics sourced from bed linen can also be used. A flannelette sheet makes the perfect pouch!
- Marsupial joeys like to suckle, sometimes on their pouch, so materials that do not shed any lint, pill, or have any loose threads are essential.
- There is no preference for specific colours or fabric designs/patterns – joeys don’t mind if the fabric is slightly “ugly”!
DID YOU KNOW? Non-natural or synthetic fabrics do not “breathe” well and can cause the joeys to overheat.
Sizes:
Different species require different size pouches. We have provided a general guideline for the finished sizes of pouches for various species. Don’t stress if your pouch ends up being slightly different in size – joeys come in all sizes!
Feel free to adjust the size slightly to maximise the width of the fabric.
| FINISHED SIZE | MATERIAL CUT SIZE | |
|---|---|---|
| Koalas 20cm wide x 30cm deep |
25cm x 70cm | |
| Gliders 15cm wide x 20cm deep |
20cm x 50cm | |
| Possums 15cm wide x 20cm deep 10cm wide x 15cm deep for unfurred possums |
20cm x 50cm 15cm x 40cm |
|
| Bandicoots & Small Carnivorous Marsupials 15cm wide x 20cm deep |
20cm x 50cm | |
| Wallabies and Kangaroos 25cm wide x 35cm deep for unfurred joeys 35cm wide x 40cm deep for just furring joeys 50cm wide x 65cm deep for fully furred joeys |
30cm x 80cm 40cm x 90cm 55cm x 140cm |
Patterns:
Wildcare Australia Inc has provided instructions for 2 types of pouches required, both are simple projects and are used throughout the year. Click on the link below to download the instructions for the relevant pouch.
Download Standard Pouch Instructions →
Download Double Pouch Instructions (great for winter) →
Want more of challenge?
Wildcare Australia Inc also accepts donations for Rescue Basket Covers which cover the plastic picnic-style baskets used by wildlife carers to transport the animals.
If you plan to make multiple basket covers; Wildcare Australia Inc has offered to post full-size patterns free of charge. Get in contact with them via karen@wildcare.org.au.
Click on the link below to download the instructions for the Rescue Basket Cover.
Download Rescue Basket Cover Instructions →
Note: Wildcare Australia Inc is happy to add the KAM snaps to these basket covers if you cannot provide them.
DONATE TO A CHARITY
These wildlife pouches can be donated to any of the below charities. Just send your creations in to the mailing address provided.
Are you a charity that would accept this item? Contact us to have your details added here.
Queensland
Wildcare Australia Inc
PO Box 2379
Nerang Mail Centre
Qld, 4211
South Australia
Barossa Wildlife Rescue
Address:
PO BOX 54
Freeling SA 5372
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Echidna project material/ fabric requirements are an indication only and can seem to be generous. This has been intentional. Should you make a cutting or embroidery mistake you will have sufficient fabric to rectify your error.