The Kangaroo Sanctuary

Kangaroo Sanctuary in Alice Springs

The Kangaroo Sanctuary is a 188-acre wildlife sanctuary located in Alice Springs, in Central Australia. It was founded by Chris 'Brolga' Barns, who in 2005 established the Baby Kangaroo Rescue Centre in Alice Springs and in 2011 opened the sanctuary to house rescued orphaned kangaroos and adult kangaroos. The organisation's motto is "Animals Come First".

Kangaroo rescue and rehabilitation

The sanctuary's mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and release orphaned baby kangaroos back into the wild. Those that cannot be released, for example because they are too tame or because of injuries that still allow them a good quality of life, find refuge in the sanctuary's 188 acres. In 2015, Brolga and Tahnee built Central Australia's first Kangaroo Rescue Centre, with the help of donations and visitors who take part in the tours. This centre is where rescued orphans are raised with the help of volunteers.

Education and guided tours

Education is a priority for the sanctuary. Training is provided to other wildlife carers, the general public, school groups and visitors through guided sunset tours. During these tours, attendees can meet the kangaroo family and hold a baby kangaroo. Tours run on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Kangaroo Dundee and media presence

In 2013, BBC UK and National Geographic USA produced the documentary "Kangaroo Dundee", which follows the lives of the group of rescued kangaroos and other wildlife at the sanctuary. The documentary has been broadcast in more than 90 countries and has completed its third series, which aired in 2016. The success of the documentary led to the publication of Brolga's biography, also titled "Kangaroo Dundee". Brolga has appeared as a guest on various TV and radio shows, including BBC UK Breakfast, BBC UK radio's The Chris Evans Breakfast Show, BBC UK's Blue Peter, One Plus One (ABC), The Project (Channel 10), Today Show (Channel 9), Sunrise (Channel 7) and The Morning Show (Channel 7). Numerous wildlife documentaries have also been filmed at the sanctuary.

Support and donations

The sanctuary and the rescue centre are partly funded by donations, which help continue rescuing and caring for orphaned and adult kangaroos. In addition, the public is encouraged to get involved in animal care in various ways, such as becoming a carer in their local area, assisting with local rescue centres, checking roadkill kangaroos for orphans and removing dead animals from the road to protect other species such as eagles and dingoes.

Location and contact

PO Box 4921 Alice Springs, NT, 0871, Australia · Phone: 0400141070 · Email: tahnee@centrebushbus.com.au