In Warrnambool, Australia, Tracy McKendry was out for her morning walk when she spotted a pied wallaby (Wallabia bicolor) bounding towards her in the middle of a residential area. Surprised by this unusual encounter, she took out her phone to film the scene so she would have proof to show her family.

But as the animal sped past her, her joey suddenly fell from its pouch and landed on the road. The mother continued on her way without coming back for it, leaving Tracy completely distraught.

She eventually contacted the Mosswood Wildlife Trust, whose volunteers came to retrieve the joey, which had taken refuge in some nearby bushes. It was a young female, named Katina by her caretakers. Since her mother could not be found despite searches in the area, Katina was entrusted to a specialist caretaker to be raised before being released back into the wild.

Contrary to the idea that wallabies voluntarily “throw” their young to escape a predator, expulsion can occur when the highly stressed animal flees and the muscles controlling its pouch react, causing the young to fall out.