Only the Best Turf for Our Joeys: Supporting Wildlife Rescue Queensland

Why Wildlife Rehabilitation Centres Need Turf

A few weeks back, our General Manager, Matt, was scrolling through Facebook when he saw a call-out from Wildlife Rescue Queensland One of their macropod enclosures was in desperate need of fresh grass, and they were reaching out to the community for help.

They'd been trying to give their enclosures time to recover, but with the vast numbers of joeys coming into care every month, the grass just couldn't keep up. They needed a soft, natural surface for recovery - and fast.

You didn't have to ask us twice.

Why This Matters to Us

As a family-owned and operated turf farm nestled in the Glasshouse Mountains near the Pumicestone Passage, we're surrounded by the incredible wildlife of South East Queensland. Ask any team member what their favourite thing about working at GoTurf is, and chances are they'll say the location.

Working outside all day, we see firsthand the importance of natural habitats. In fact, our dams attract so many bird species that researchers have come out to study them.

We've been following Wildlife Rescue Queensland's work for years, admiring their dedication to saving injured, sick, and orphaned native animals. As growers of turf, we believe great things happen on grass - and that includes giving orphaned joeys a soft place to grow and thrive.

About Wildlife Rescue Queensland

Wildlife Rescue Queensland (WRQ) is a non-profit organisation operating across the Moreton Bay Region. Run by volunteers, they respond to thousands of calls each year for injured, sick, and orphaned wildlife. Wildlife Rescue Queensland collaborates closely with local veterinarians, the RSPCA, and the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital to provide animals with the best possible chance of returning to the wild. They hold permits to care for a wide range of native species, including possums, gliders, kangaroos, wallabies, birds, and bandicoots.

Their mission is simple: to help native wildlife return safely to the wild.

What Wildlife Rescue Queensland Shared

Here's what they had to say about it all:

"Two weeks ago, we put a desperate community call out for help. Our joey enclosures needed turf, and although we had been trying to rest and spell our pens, we were having too many orphaned joeys coming in to wait any longer.

We were truly overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity shown to us by GoTurf. They immediately reached out to help us, and they not only answered our immediate need but they also committed to supporting our joeys with turf into the future.

Our much-loved kangaroo and wallaby joeys now have fresh, soft grass under their paws while they rest, play and recover. This will make a significant positive difference in their comfort, health, and rehabilitation while they are in care.

We are beyond grateful for GoTurf's generosity, their quick response, and their genuine care for wildlife. Businesses like this are the backbone of our community, and their support ensures our joeys can grow strong and thrive before release back into the wild."

Why We Chose TifTuf for the Joeys

An essential part of a kangaroo joey's development is starting to eat a natural diet alongside their milk bottles. The first solid food a joey eats isn't grass - it's dirt. Young joeys need to have access to natural soil and roots as they grow. Before they can chew grass properly, they rely on dirt, soft grass roots, and the microbiome contained within it.

When it came time to select the right turf variety, we knew exactly what to provide: TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda.

• Quick establishment

TifTuf can take root in as little as 7 days, meaning the joeys could enjoy their new environment sooner.

• Soft underfoot

TifTuf's dense, fine-bladed growth provides natural comfort for delicate paws.

• Incredibly durable with fast recovery

Wildlife enclosures get constant use. TifTuf's exceptional wear tolerance means it can handle active joeys jumping, playing, and exploring without wearing bare. If areas do get damaged, TifTuf repairs itself quickly, which is crucial for keeping enclosures safe and functional.

• Drought-tolerant and low-maintenance

As a non-profit, Wildlife Rescue Queensland needs turf that won't drain resources. TifTuf requires up to 38% less water than other varieties and has good resistance to common pests and diseases, reducing the need for extensive pest control measures and chemical treatments. Overall, this variety requires less time, effort, and resources to maintain, making it sustainable for long-term wildlife care.

Great Things Happen on Grass

Whether it's families creating memories in their backyards, sports teams chasing goals on the field, or joeys taking their first hops toward returning safely to the wild - great things happen on grass.

We're honoured to support Wildlife Rescue Queensland's incredible work; helping the joeys they care for is an absolute privilege. The work they do every day to rescue and rehabilitate our native wildlife is inspiring.

We're committed to providing turf for their joey enclosures into the future, and we hope that this soft landing will help these little ones safely return to the wild.

Want to Help?

If you'd like to support Wildlife Rescue Queensland's mission, there are a few ways to help, including:

• Donate to help fund medical care, food, and a safe environment for rescued animals

• Volunteer your time as a wildlife carer or rescuer, or help behind the scenes.

• Spread the word about their work.

You can learn more at Wildlife Rescue Queensland's website, and be sure to follow them on social media for all the latest news.