Maple played a part in one of the most important events
ever to happen at Roo Gully.

Her mother is Heidi.

They are an unusual family and their story is amazing.

Maple was born on the 13th December 2000.

All of the joeys born at Roo Gully are named after trees, flowers or plants,
and Maple got her name because we had Canadian friends staying with us.

Up until she became a young at foot Maple lived a normal life with her mother.

Then Rosie, Bracken's mother died unexpectedly.
Bracken was an orphan.

To everyone's surprise Heidi adopted Bracken,
and Maple accepted the situation.

We often saw her waiting patiently
while Bracken fed first.

Heidi's girls were completely different.

Bracken was dominant like her mother, Rosie,
and Heidi had her hands full teaching her to box.

But Maple was more timid and very gentle.

Despite these differences, they were a happy family.

We knew from filming her in secret that Maple was a happy joey,
often enjoying a frolic in the early morning mist.

But she was always more wary if she knew we were around.

We accepted her nervousness.

It was a role she started to assume at an early age.

And it is a role she kept as she got older.

Maple still lives with us,
and still has a close bond with her mother Heidi and Bracken.

She is a happy member of the Roo Gully mob.

But sadly for us still a little wary of humans.

She will not allow anyone to stroke her,
but she has no objection to us taking photos.
In fact she doesn't mind that at all - as long we don't get too close!

Maple's Tale © Roo Gully 2005.

Photos courtesy of Roo Gully, Kristina Pick, Kayleigh Andrews.