Jelly Roll, whose real name is Jason DeFord, visited Rottnest Island on October 22, 2025, during a tour stop in Australia. The 41-year-old artist, known for his blend of country and rap music, participated in a conservation program at the island’s quokka sanctuary. He was permitted to hold, feed, and name a three-week-old orphaned quokka joey under supervised conditions.

The visit began with a private seaplane transfer from Perth to Rottnest Island, accompanied by his wife Bunnie XO and children Bailee Ann and Noah Buddy. The sanctuary’s head keeper, Dr. Sarah Compton, provided an orientation on quokka biology and conservation challenges. Quokkas are small marsupials native to Western Australia, with a population of approximately 12,000 on the island. The species faces threats from habitat loss and vehicle collisions, leading to an annual intake of 12 to 15 orphaned joeys for hand-rearing.

The selected joey, identified as #47 in sanctuary records, had been orphaned after its mother was struck by a golf cart, the primary mode of transport on the island. Jelly Roll followed strict hygiene protocols, including hand washing and wearing a sterile gown, before being seated on the floor of the nursery area. The joey, weighing under one pound with eyes still closed, was placed in his arms. He fed it a specialized marsupial formula from a bottle warmed to body temperature, maintaining a 45-degree angle for 11 minutes. The feeding resulted in a weight gain of 12 grams, noted as above average for a single session.

Jelly Roll named the joey “Bunnie” in honor of his wife. The name was officially recorded in the sanctuary’s database, and the animal was designated as adopted under his sponsorship. The interaction was documented on video by sanctuary staff and family members, with the primary clip uploaded to official channels shortly after the visit.

The footage gained rapid traction online, reaching 100 million views within 24 hours of release. Social media engagement under the hashtag #JellyRollQuokka exceeded 2.1 million posts, with users sharing personal stories of recovery and hope inspired by the artist’s background. Jelly Roll pledged $500,000 to the sanctuary, an amount matched by fan donations through a verified crowdfunding campaign, totaling $1.2 million within 48 hours. These funds will support construction of a new intensive care unit for joeys and installation of live-stream cameras for public education.

Jelly Roll’s interest in quokkas originated during a period of incarceration in 2018, when he encountered images of the animals described as the happiest on Earth. The experience influenced his personal outlook during rehabilitation. His current tour, the Beautifully Broken Tour, included sold-out performances in Sydney prior to the Rottnest visit. The sanctuary visit was coordinated as part of conservation outreach, with Jelly Roll participating in additional activities such as habitat monitoring and educational sessions with local school groups.

The quokka interaction adhered to ethical guidelines, limiting contact time and ensuring the joey’s stress levels remained within acceptable parameters. Sanctuary protocols prohibit general public handling to protect the animals’ well-being, making Jelly Roll’s experience a rare exception granted for conservation fundraising purposes. The joey “Bunnie” will remain in the sanctuary’s care until maturity, at which point it will be released into the protected island population.

The visit has increased global awareness of quokka conservation efforts. The Rottnest Island Authority reported a 40 percent surge in inquiries about volunteer programs and donations following the publicity. Merchandise featuring the joey, including plush toys and apparel, was made available through the sanctuary’s official channels, with all proceeds directed to habitat preservation initiatives.

Jelly Roll’s participation highlights the intersection of celebrity influence and wildlife conservation. The artist has incorporated the experience into his tour narrative, sharing the story during performances and encouraging audience support for the sanctuary. The event demonstrates how targeted outreach can generate substantial resources for endangered species management while maintaining animal welfare standards.