Wildlife Habitat is excited to welcome a very special addition to the park – a female Lumholtz’s Tree-kangaroo joey that has recently emerged from the pouch.
The joey was born in September 2015, to wild-born rescued mother Ruby and father Quinton who was born in the park in 2012.
She is proving to be very inquisitive and brave, beginning to climb branches in her enclosure and nibbling at a variety of different leaves to developing her sense of taste.
Wildlife Supervisor Rabecca Lynch said that the park was thrilled to welcome the joey, and pleased with how Ruby was taking to motherhood. “Ruby appears to be an experienced mum from her time in the wild, or simply has great motherly instincts, as she is quite relaxed and confident with her cheeky joey in guiding her back to the pouch when necessary,” she said.
“Lumholtz’s Tree-Kangaroos are found in only a small area of Tropical North Queensland and their greatest threats consist of deforestation, habitat fragmentation, feral and introduced predators such as dogs and being hit by vehicles.”
“Public can help these animals by ensuring they lock up or secure their pets at night time and drive carefully through known habitat – small things can sometimes make a big difference.”
Wildlife Habitat is the only zoo in North Queensland, and one of two in the world, with Lumholtz’s Tree-Kangaroos on display.
The joey joins the three other Lumholtz’s Tree-Kangaroos in the park, two of whom were rescued and rehabilitated through Tree Roo Rescue and Conservation Centre (TRRACC) in Malanda, after being injured in the wild.
They are all part of the Zoo and Aquarium Association population management program, which allows zoos to work collaboratively to increase the population within captivity and to learn more about them and assist with conserving the species.
We will be running a competition to name the joey, with entry details to be announced in the park and on Facebook.
