Our family has expanded! We are super excited to introduce you to our little male Goodfellow’s Tree Kangaroo joey.

He hasn’t got a name yet, but is the son of Mum, Doba and Dad, Huli and he’s just starting to stick his head out of the pouch, playing a real life game of peek-a-boo. We might be biased, but if we had to sum him up in three words it would be: 

• Unbearably cute
• Rare 
• Curious

The joey is not just adorable, but incredibly important. Tree Kangaroos are so endangered that zoos around the world are coordinating their breeding programs to try and prevent extinction, so every roo counts! Some of our previous tree kangaroo joeys have since graduated from Perth Zoo, moving over east and even all the way to the UK to share their incredibly valuable WA genetics. We also work beyond our Zoo gates to help tree roos in the wild by partnering with the Tenkile Conservation Alliance to safeguard populations in Papua New Guinea. This organisation works with more than 50 village communities to protect and conserve the remaining tree kangaroos, turning hunters into protectors.  

In preparation for the joey’s arrival, zoo keepers worked hard with Doba, who can be a very shy and nervous animal, to build their rapport with her so that we could check inside her pouch. This meant we were able to monitor her health, and presence and growth of any joeys after the mating season. For Doba’s carers, it was a major achievement and exceptionally rewarding to finally earn her trust and achieve a positive welfare outcome for both Doba and her new joey.

It also meant we could record the development of the joey over time, learning so much more about a very rare species which is hardly ever seen, not least of all whilst still in the early stages of development – although it did look like an alien until the first smattering of fur sprouted. 

Today, one look at the joey induces cries of ooohs and ahhhhs, and by April it should be testing out its tree climbing legs for all to see. But if you don’t already love tree kangaroos, here’s some fascinating facts to tip you over the edge: 

• One step forward, two steps backwards. Unlike ground dwelling kangaroos, tree kangaroos can move backwards; 
• Possum magic. Tree roos can move their back feet independently of each other like a possum and can also hop;
• Every day is arm day. They have incredible strength in their hands and arms helping them to climb and move through the trees; 
• They use their long tails for balance as they move through along the branches;
• and 
• They have in-built rain coats. Being a rainforest animal, their fur has adapted to hold rain on the surface so that no water soaks into their bodies, meaning they can just shake off and stay dry.