To celebrate, keepers surprised our queen of the trees with a fruity feast.
 

Australian Fauna Keeper Bec Kop said Kaluli wasted no time in hopping over to see what treats were waiting for her.

"Banana and avocado are two of her favourite foods, so we knew she'd be thrilled with the birthday smoothie we made," Bec said. 

"Becasue it was a special birthday, we also made her a colourful platter with beans, banana, watermelon, grapes and hibiscus flowers.

"She sipped and crunched on the treat before sharing the rest with her daughter Muku and fellow tree kangaroo Huli." 

"Kaluli weighs just under 9 kilos, about the same as a large watermelon. and is a firm favourite amongst the team. 

"Our adorable marsupial really is the queen of sass and highly intelligent. She is alwys keeping us on our toes!" Bec said. 

But it’s not just her cute ways that make her legacy legendary, she’s also played an important role in the conservation efforts for the endangered species.  

When Kaluli arrived at the Zoo, she was one of only 15 Goodfellow’s Tree Kangaroos in zoos around the world.  
Thanks to the success of regionally coordinated breeding programs, that number has now grown to 45.

Kaluli has played a major role in that success, giving birth to five joeys and making a significant contribution to the global breeding program working to save the species.
 

With descendants living all around the world, her joeys have continued her breeding legacy and she’s even a great-grandmother!

In good news they’re not all miles away with her youngest daughter Muku, living right next door.

 

At 18, Kaluli is now living in her golden oldie years. Her long, happy life is an absolute testament to the care and welfare she has received here at the Zoo.
 
In the wild, marsupials are estimated to live an average life of around 14, because survival isn’t as easy for Kaluli’s wild cousins.

That's why we our commitment to Goodfellow’s Tree Kangaroos extends far beyond our gates here in South Perth and reaches Kaluli’s wild cousins in Papua New Guinea (PNG). 

Since 2006, Perth Zoo has proudly partnered with the Tenkile Conservation Alliance (TCA). This PNG-based organisation works to protect natural habitats and provide alternate food sources for local communities.

Through this partnership, we support projects that help create more sustainable villages, to reduce the impact on surrounding ecosystems and support the long-term rehabilitation of the environment. 

Ultimately, our friends at TCA are helping support local communities to make the wild safer for tree kangaroos!

You can wish Kaluli a happy birthday and say g’day to her daughter Muku all weekend long, we are open from 9am – 5PM every day of the year. 

With the best chance to see the tree kangaroos in action, at the free keeper talk and feed from 3:30pm on Tuesdays and Sundays.