Perth Zoo is jumping with joy to announce the birth of an endangered Goodfellow’s Tree Kangaroo!

The female joey was born about the size of a jellybean last spring to mum Kaluli and dad Huli and has been busy growing and developing inside her mum’s pouch.

This week, while feeding Kaluli her breakfast, our keepers were delighted to see the little one pop her head out and take her first look at the world around her.



Perth Zoo Australian Fauna Keeper, Holly Lewin, said: “We are thrilled to welcome another Goodfellow’s Tree Kangaroo baby, and even more excitingly, this joey is the first ever female born at Perth Zoo!

“She is the fifth joey born here at Perth Zoo, and her arrival is a major milestone for the globally coordinated conservation program for Goodfellow’s Tree Kangaroos. 

“She still has quite a bit of growing left to do in mum’s pouch. But over the next few weeks, lucky visitors may be able to catch a glimpse of her face or even a foot poking out.

“We can’t wait to share more about her journey with the community as she continues to grow up!”



Not only is this new joey absolutely adorable, but she represents a beacon of hope for the future of the endangered species and another conservation triumph for Perth Zoo.

Native to Papua New Guinea, Goodfellow's Tree Kangaroos are considered endangered in the wild. 

As part of the globally coordinated breeding program, we are proud to have successfully bred now five Goodfellow’s Tree Kangaroo babies. Descendants of Perth Zoo’s tree kangaroos are now living all over the globe – as far as Europe and the UK!

“The birth of this joey is another example of how the work of good zoos, like Perth Zoo, can make a real tangible difference to wildlife and wild places,” Holly said.

“We hope by watching this beautiful joey grow, the community will develop an appreciation for Goodfellow’s Tree Kangaroos and are inspired to help us with conservation for her cousins in the wild.”

While our zoo keepers are now focused on nurturing Kaluli and her little one, our work and commitment to Goodfellow’s Tree Kangaroos extends beyond our gates here in South Perth.

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

Thanks to generous WA community donations, Perth Zoo has been able to fund projects that help create more sustainable villages, which reduces the impact on surrounding ecosystems and supports the long-term rehabilitation of the environment.
 
Stay tuned for more updates on Kaluli’s joey!