KANGAROOS are being struck by vehicles at a worrying rate in the Westlakes district.
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It has prompted a warning for motorists to be extra vigilant - at all times of the day.
Cooranbong, Martinsville and Mandalong have been identified as among of the most dangerous locations for motorists and roos.
Hunter Wildlife Rescue reports its volunteers have been called to 12 roo strikes on local roads in the past fortnight.
Ann Morgan, of Sunshine, has been an animal rescue and triage volunteer with Hunter Wildlife Rescue for 20 years.
She said the spike in roo strikes was a serious concern.
"Of the 12 animals that we've been called to rescue in the past fortnight, two survived," Ms Morgan said.
While adult roos usually suffered "catastrophic" fatal injuries when hit by a vehicle, joeys in pouches often survived, she said.
For that reason, Ms Morgan urged motorists who had the misfortune to hit a roo to call her - no matter what time of day or night.
"Accidents happen. I accept that. But if you hit an animal, please stop and check if it is deceased," she said.
"Check if it's male or female, and if it is female, please call us.
"If the mum is deceased, we'll check to see if she has a little one in her pouch, and if so we'll assess it and take it into our care."
Hunter Wildlife Rescue also liaises with local vets.
"Please don't try to raise these animals yourself, they need expert care," she said.
Ms Morgan urged locals to slow down, and not be complacent when driving on familiar roads.
She nominated Deaves Road, in Cooranbong, and Pringles Road, in Martinsville, as hot spots for roo strikes.
"The kangaroos are coming out to feed in the day and to warm up," she said.
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"The grass that's easy pickings is the grass on the side of the road."
She said new housing developments in the district had also caused a loss of habitat for roos.
"So the animals are going out into areas that they wouldn't normally go into."
Ms Morgan said reporting a roo strike to Hunter Wildlife Rescue could save a joey from a long, painful death.
"Little ones can stay alive for five or six days in the pouch," she said.
But in that time joeys were susceptible to ants, starving or freezing.
"It is a horrible death."
Ms Morgan said the Hunter Wildlife Rescue care regime gave rescued joeys the best chance of survival.
"I'll first check the joeys over for injuries and warm them up and rehydrate them and, if necessary, I'll take them to a vet," she said.
All being well, she'll then take the joey to a local carer for recuperation and, eventually, release.
One such carer is Margaret Howley, of Marmong Point.
Ms Howley has been volunteering with Hunter Wildlife Rescue for 35 years and, last year alone, cared for 114 kangaroos.
- Hunter Wildlife Rescue: 0418 628 483.