Sydney's Taronga Zoo have just revealed their first tree kangaroo joey in over 20 years.
Tree kangaroos are endangered so their joeys are very rarely seen.
This is a very big deal!
Tree kangaroos?! Unlike their grounded cousins, tree kangaroos can walk backwards – an essential skill when negotiating branches – and have specially-adapted pads on their feet and hands to help them climb.
The female joey was born in September last year, but keepers have only just begun seeing her tiny head peeking out from first-time mother, Qwikila’s, pouch.
Look at those BEAUTIFUL blue eyes.
Qwikila arrived from Belfast Zoo last year and her successful pairing with Taronga’s resident male, Parum, is a triumph for the global breeding program of this endangered species.
Native to Papua New Guinea, Goodfellow’s Tree Kangaroos are classified as endangered, with numbers in the wild decreasing due to habitat loss and encroaching human activity.
Thrilled keepers have been observing the joey’s daily progress, as it emerges each morning at feeding time.
Taronga plans a public naming competition for the as yet unnamed joey on social media, encouraging people to get involved and learn more about this rare and fascinating species.
