Wildlife carers are urging caution on roads as seasonal change and urban sprawl leads to an increasing number of joey-carrying kangaroos being killed or injured in collisions.

Saving 'pinkies' If it is safe to do so, gently check the pouch of the dead kangaroo

If it is safe to do so, gently check the pouch of the dead kangaroo If there is a joey there gently remove it, wrap it in warm material and take it to the nearest vet or wildlife carer

If there is a joey there gently remove it, wrap it in warm material and take it to the nearest vet or wildlife carer Do not offer the marsupial food or water

Do not offer the marsupial food or water If you are unable to check the pouch take note of the location or mark the injured of dead kangaroo

If you are unable to check the pouch take note of the location or mark the injured of dead kangaroo If you have found injured wildlife in WA call the Wildcare Helpline on 08 9474 9055

Carers in Western Australia's south-west say unseasonal rainfall throughout the late summer months has encouraged a surge in mating among the marsupials.

This in turn has led to the high number of 'pinkies', or hairless joeys, being found in pouches of dead female kangaroos on the roads.

Carers say urban sprawl in regional areas is also resulting in kangaroos congregating and crossing roads in heavy traffic areas.

"Their traditional patches are disappearing at an alarming rate," Bunbury-based wildlife carer Kim Grant said.

"For kangaroos, and female kangaroos in particular, it's about safety in numbers, so they will tend to search for areas where there are other mobs or available water sources.

"It's a bad combination of the 'roos not knowing any better and drivers, typically tourists, not being aware of where they tend to cross."

Motorists can play a role

A regional wildlife officer for WA's Department of Parks and Wildlife, Pia Courtis, said female kangaroos carrying young are drawn to the verge of roads by the availability of grasses.

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"Kangaroos will do as kangaroos do as they breed and move about at this time of year," Ms Courtis said.

"There's not much we can do other than be mindful that we may see kangaroos on and around the road and try to be mindful that they are there."

Ms Grant said she had been called out at all hours to rescue pinkies at an increasing rate, but was buoyed by the public's preparedness to try and save injured marsupials.

"It can be quite confronting to hit a 'roo in the first place and to consider their welfare is encouraging," she said.

She said a pinkie could survive for a couple of days in its dead mother's pouch, so there was still hope of survival for them.

However, as Ms Grant stressed, motorist safety was the first consideration.

"As with everything, it's about safety first so it's most important to check your surroundings and your own wellbeing before considering taking the next step," she said.

"These little guys can be saved. It's just a matter of knowing how."

Early rainfall has encouraged mating among kangaroo populations in Western Australia. ( ABC Local: Anthony Pancia )

Cull rethink needed says farmer

Hyden farmer Geoffrey Marshall said early rain in January and February had encouraged the growth of seedlings, attracting kangaroos.

"For me, it's a solid, steady increase [in numbers] and the kangaroos are looking very healthy," Mr Marshall.

"It's been quite some time since I've seen the numbers we're seeing at the moment."

The kangaroo population has also been on the rise since the closure of a Perth-based pet food processing plant last year.

Its closure resulted in less work for professional shooters and a surge in population grow in the south-west and Great Southern regions.

Mr Marshall suggested a rethink was needed on appropriate control measures.

He said something similar to coordinated fox shoots — strategically planned at an appropriate time of the year for the greatest impact — could be effective.

"It's always going to be tricky to manage, both on a property-by-property and district-by-district basis," Mr Marshall said.