The 21-year-old zoology student said while it may be hard to look at, the image is a reminder of the harsh reality facing our native wildlife.

“I thought it would have a good message behind it – to just remind people to slow down, really, slow down at night and keep an eye out,” he told Fairfax Media on Tuesday.

Australia has the worst mammal extinction rate in the world, according to the Australian Wildlife Conservancy.

More than 1,700 species of animals and plants are listed by the Australian Government as being at risk of extinction.

Mr Warne, who was travelling from Townsville to Merimbula for university holidays, said he also saw a dead quoll the day before.

“I drove past the border and saw a dead quoll on the road,” he said.

“I had never seen a quoll in the wild and they are a threatened species.

“People get really excited about seeing them and this was just dead on the road.

“It got me thinking, if I see something else on the road I’d stop and take a photo and raise awareness.”

More photos by Mr Warne can be found on his Instagram page at @harrisonwarnephotography