A stranded joey has been given a second chance at life thanks to the curiosity and quick actions of two South Australian women driving home from a lunch date in McLaren Vale.

A video captured the moment that Lauren Wagner, 32, came to the aid of a joey left in its dead mother's pouch on the side of the road near the popular wine region on Sunday.

The joey's mother had died and was lying in the middle of the road when Ms Wagner and her friend, Sarah Wragge stopped to investigate, saving the young joey's life.

The video has been viewed more than 148,000 times since being posted early on Sunday evening, with many hailing the quick reactions of the South Australian pair in the comments.

While the rescue has gone viral online, it has also prompted a reminder from Australian wildlife experts on how to care for wild animals who may have been stranded in this kind of situation.

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Rescue of young joey caught on video

Lauren Wagner, 32 of Thebarton said she and her friend Sarah Wragge were driving home from McLaren Vale after having lunch when they spotted a dead kangaroo on the road.

She said on first glance it looked like the kangaroo was moving so they decided to investigate.

"I could see it moving and I thought we better turn around and have another look at that," she told the ABC.

"So we turned around and slowed down the car a bit and I could see that it's tummy was kicking.

"We got out and had a bit of a look and we could see two little legs poking out of its pouch and it was still alive so we just tried to get it out.

"We had to quickly drag it off the road because it was right on the road, then we pulled it out and it was a little joey and it was alive."

With not much idea of what to do next, Ms Wagner said she phoned a friend who she knew had rescued koalas.

Her friend put her in touch with a fauna rescue expert and they drove straight to her house to drop off the young joey.

"By the sounds of it [the joey is doing well]. I think it's being dropped off at a kangaroo sanctuary to be looked after," she said.

"I hope it makes people have a little bit of a second thought and maybe check on them in future."

What to do if you find stranded wildlife

RSPCA South Australia senior rescue officer Nalika van Loenen hailed the actions of the pair and shared some advice for others if they came across a similar situation.

She said the first step was to call Fauna Rescue, Native Animal Network or the RSPCA but highlighted the importance of checking your safety first, particularly near a busy road or bend.

"Try to move the animal off the road, if it is a female check the surrounding area as a young joey may have gotten out of the pouch and hiding — also check the pouch for young," she told the ABC.

An expert said it was important to keep a joey warm after a rescue. ( ABC Illawarra: Sarah Moss )

"If it is possible, take the deceased mother with joey to the nearest wildlife carer or vet.

"If this is not an option, check if the joey is attached to the teat.

"If not, gently remove it, holding onto the legs at the base of the body, cover head and keep warm."

She said it was important to be at gentle as possible with a young joey, and warmth was vital in its survival.

"If the joey is holding on to the nipple, do not force it off as you can severely damage the joey's mouth … the joey will release the teat in its own time," she said.

"If possible, secure the teat to a blanket, to prevent the joey from swallowing the teat … you would need to cut the teat off closest to mother's body, wrap the joey in a towel, sheet or jumper."

"The best warmth is your body warmth, keep the joey warm, in darkness and quiet, take it straight to a wildlife carer or vet.

"If unable to get it to a vet straight away, speak with a wildlife carer or Fauna Rescue SA and Native Animal Network have a detailed basic initial care information on their website."