Australian police officer adopts orphaned baby kangaroo

A baby kangaroo orphaned by his mum has found a new home, that is in the arms of a young Australian police officer.

This joey was found in the pouch of his dead mother, who had been hit by a truck in a remote part of Western Australia, according to AAP.

He was brought to Cue police station on Wednesday morning, with Constable Scott Mason deciding to take the reins of raising it, even though his wife has just given birth to the couple's baby. 

"It's very dehydrated and skinny, but we're doing what we can," Mason told AAP. "[My wife's] got her newborn and I’ve got a little one as well."

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The joey will need to be fed every three hours, until it is weaned by 18 months old, so it will be Mason's baby for the time being. It will help him prepare for his new baby, as his wife and newborn are located 660 kilometres (410 miles) away in the state's capital city, Perth. 

Joey however needs a name, so the people of Twitter are happy to suggest a few.

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Mason said he hopes to start a wildlife rescue centre in the town, where he moved six weeks ago to become the police station's community liaison officer.

A happy result, for one stranded joey and one new dad.

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