Endangered Kangaroo Joey Born At San Diego Zoo Safari Park

ESCONDIDO, CA — An endangered Matschie's tree kangaroo joey was born earlier this year at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido, zoo officials announced.

The joey's mother Polly gave birth in March in the Safari Park's Walkabout Australia habitat. Animal care staff have yet to determine the now 6-month-old unnamed joey's gender as it is still developing inside Polly's pouch.

The joey is the first Matschie's tree kangaroo born at the Safari Park, according to the zoo.

"We are thrilled with the birth of this Matschie's tree kangaroo joey," Safari Park keeper Breanne Barney said. "Due to the small population of Matschie's tree kangaroos, this joey provides hope for the future of this species."

The species first arrived at the Safari Park last year as part of a program to save threatened species from extinction.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species lists the Matschie's tree kangaroo as endangered. Fewer than 2,500 remain in the wild due to hunting and habitat loss in its native Papua New Guinea.

The Safari Park is now home to two adult Matschie's tree kangaroos and the new joey.

The joey was about the size of a jelly bean at birth and has more than doubled in size since then, according to the zoo. The joey will stay in its mother's pouch for as long as 10 months as it continues to nurse and develop. At that point, the joey will exit its mother's pouch for extended periods and return to nurse. Even after being weaned around a year old, it will remain close to Polly for nearly two more years.

"Polly is an excellent mother, consistently grooming her little one," Barney said. "We are really looking forward to the joey fully emerging soon."

Safari Park visitors can spot Polly and her joey at the Walkabout Australia exhibit, adjacent to Zuest Station. Access to the exhibit is included with admission to the park.

City News Service and Kristina Houck/Patch contributed to this report.