western australia

goodfellows tree kangaroo

Baby Tree-Kangaroo for Perth Zoo, Western Australia,

@JudyEv (341752)

Rockingham, Australia

June 24, 2016 3:06am CST

A bit of good news in Western Australia today. Perth Zoo's Goodfellow's tree kangaroo, Kaluli, gave birth to a male joey (Mian) six months ago but the news has only just been released now that the joey has started peeping out of the pouch. The wild population has more than halved over 30 years and the species in now considered endangered. Tree-kangaroos live in the tropical rainforests of New Guinea, far north-eastern Queensland and some islands in that region. They are adapted for living in trees. The hind feet are longer and broader with longer, curved nails. The paws and soles of the feet have a sponge-like covering for grip. The tail is large and pendulous which gives them better balance. Like 'ordinary' kangaroos, they don't sweat but lick their forearms when they are hot. The evaporation of the moisture helps them to cool down. There are a number of species, all of which are under threat from hunting and habitat loss. We were lucky enough to get a photo of one of Perth Zoo's tree-kangaroos when we visited in 2014.

22 people like this

21 responses

@jaboUK (64354)

• United Kingdom

25 Jun 16

Interesting colour - are they all like that?

4 people like this

@JudyEv (341752)

• Rockingham, Australia

25 Jun 16

There are a number of species and subspecies so the colour and size varies from one to the next.

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Belle Starr (Iz)

@BelleStarr (61102)

• United States

25 Jun 16

That is exciting news and what an adorable animal.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (341752)

• Rockingham, Australia

25 Jun 16

She is beautiful isn't she? Such a rich colour.

2 people like this

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

24 Jun 16

I have never even heard of a tree kangaroo before. It does seem strange that I should know more about some dinosaurs than I do about some current species.

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@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

25 Jun 16

@JudyEv They were big.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (341752)

• Rockingham, Australia

25 Jun 16

You're not alone in not having heard of tree kangaroos. And I know next to nothing about dinosaurs. :)

2 people like this

@JudyEv (341752)

• Rockingham, Australia

25 Jun 16

@Asylum I knew THAT! But I don't know much more about them. :) Vince's brother and his wife have just returned from a trip that included a visit to Winton in Queensland that is renowned as a repository for dinosaur remains.

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@LadyDuck (471979)

• Switzerland

24 Jun 16

They are cute animals, I hope that they can be put in an area where they can be protected.

2 people like this

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@LadyDuck (471979)

• Switzerland

25 Jun 16

@JudyEv Yes, it would be a shame. We should care more, scientists estimate that 150-200 species of plant, insect, bird and mammal become extinct every 24 hours.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (341752)

• Rockingham, Australia

25 Jun 16

It would be a great shame if they were to become extinct.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (341752)

• Rockingham, Australia

25 Jun 16

@LadyDuck That is an incredible number. I had no idea the figure was that high.

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@Jessicalynnt (50523)

• Centralia, Missouri

25 Jun 16

the fur coat there is really pretty, and she wears it well.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (341752)

• Rockingham, Australia

25 Jun 16

It looks like it was made for her doesn't it? :)

1 person likes this

@DianneN (247186)

• United States

24 Jun 16

Glad to hear the birth announcement and that tree kangaroos are going to thrive once again.

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@DianneN (247186)

• United States

25 Jun 16

@JudyEv it would be a shame if they, or any, animal became extinct.

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@Tampa_girl7 (50580)

• United States

27 Jun 16

I have never seen a tree kangaroo. It's so cute.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (341752)

• Rockingham, Australia

27 Jun 16

The coat is very cool! Or should that be warm?

@gudheart (12659)

•

24 Jun 16

Aww looks so cute and I have to admit not seen this type before. Shame under threat :(

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (341752)

• Rockingham, Australia

25 Jun 16

They have a very long tail don't they? And they're a beautiful colour.

crazyhorseladycx

@crazyhorseladycx (39509)

• United States

4 Jul 16

well, i'm delighted with this news! what a beautiful animal 'n 't saddens the heart to hear 'f so many losin' their homes due to mankinds encroachment. what'n interestin' pattern, 're they like giraffes, zebras 'n cheetahs? where's there's no 2 patterned 'xactly alike?

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crazyhorseladycx

@crazyhorseladycx (39509)

• United States

5 Jul 16

@JudyEv perhaps so? 'twas jest wonderin' 'bout these lil cuties 'n how they tracked 'em. there's a conservation group down'n southern texas who's monitorin' ocelots - they can identify each by their coat patterns.

@JudyEv (341752)

• Rockingham, Australia

5 Jul 16

I haven't heard that about no two being alike but when you think about it no two of anything are exactly alike really. Pinto horses are all a bit different, Friesian and Hereford cattle won't have exactly the same patterns as their herd mates. So I wonder if the whole 'no two are alike' thing is a bit over-rated.

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@cacay1 (83577)

• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines

25 Jun 16

wow so cute, first time to see this kind of animal on a branch.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (341752)

• Rockingham, Australia

25 Jun 16

Her coat would make lovely slippers wouldn't it?

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@ridingbet (66854)

• Philippines

24 Jun 16

this type is so different from the kangaroos we see in animal planet or national geography.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (341752)

• Rockingham, Australia

25 Jun 16

It has a totally different look doesn't it?

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@ridingbet (66854)

• Philippines

25 Jun 16

@JudyEv yes it is.

1 person likes this

@Shiva49 (26762)

• Singapore

24 Jun 16

Hearing of tree kangaroos for first time. Thanks for the details Interesting species and deserves full protection - siva

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (341752)

• Rockingham, Australia

25 Jun 16

They are very attractive aren't they? The people of New Guinea hunt them which is a shame.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (341752)

• Rockingham, Australia

26 Jun 16

@Shiva49 I guess most are just thinking of their next meal. They would be native tribesmen who are doing the hunting.

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@Shiva49 (26762)

• Singapore

25 Jun 16

@JudyEv They have to realize they are bringing down their own treasure - siva

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@teamfreak16 (43418)

• Denver, Colorado

24 Jun 16

A kangaroo that lives in trees. Who knew?

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (341752)

• Rockingham, Australia

25 Jun 16

Well, now you do!

@BettyB (4117)

• Summerville, South Carolina

24 Jun 16

I didn't realize they hid in the pouch that long. Sadly so many animals are being added to the endangered list.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (341752)

• Rockingham, Australia

25 Jun 16

They are born in a very underdeveloped state - hairless, blind and deaf. They claw their way up the mother's tummy to the pouch and attach themselves to a teat. With such a start it's a bit of a wonder any survive.

1 person likes this

@BettyB (4117)

• Summerville, South Carolina

25 Jun 16

@JudyEv Nature finds a way to protect its young.

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@koopharper (7601)

• Canada

24 Jun 16

Breeding in captivity means the species has a much better chance at surviving.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (341752)

• Rockingham, Australia

25 Jun 16

I think it is the only way some species will survive at all.

@valmnz (17097)

• New Zealand

24 Jun 16

That is awesome! I have never heard of a tree kangaroo before this.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (341752)

• Rockingham, Australia

25 Jun 16

I am a bit surprised you haven't heard of them before but I guess they don't come up in the news too often.

@Inlemay (17713)

• South Africa

24 Jun 16

I didnt know that you get tree kangaroos? Love this learning tool mylot gives us

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (341752)

• Rockingham, Australia

25 Jun 16

They don't look much like 'normal' kangaroos do they?

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@fawkes62 (1276)

• United States

24 Jun 16

I've never heard of tree kangaroos before, but what a lovely animal it is. It's great that there was a baby born at the zoo, though it's unfortunate the wild population has dropped so much.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (341752)

• Rockingham, Australia

25 Jun 16

The coat is a lovely colour isn't it? It is good that they are breeding in captivity although sad that it is necessary.

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@JohnRoberts (109846)

• Los Angeles, California

24 Jun 16

I did not know there were tree kangaroos. Very interesting information.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (341752)

• Rockingham, Australia

25 Jun 16

I think they are one of the more uncommon animals.

•

24 Jun 16

I had never heard about tree kangaroo , nice to know about it here

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (341752)

• Rockingham, Australia

25 Jun 16

It is one of the world's lesser known creatures I guess.