Matschie’s Tree Kangaroo Joey Debuts at the Bronx Zoo
18 Julio 2024 - 5:00AM
Business Wire
This is the second joey born at the Bronx Zoo since 2021.
See photos here See b-roll video here
Just in time for summer, a Matschie’s tree kangaroo (Dendrolagus
matschiei) has made its first appearance at the Bronx Zoo. The
joey, which was born at the end of December, recently emerged its
head from its mother's pouch to make its public debut. This is the
second of its species born at the Bronx Zoo and to this female
since 2021.
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Like their kangaroo and wallaby marsupial cousins, the majority
of a tree kangaroo joey’s physical development occurs in the
mother’s pouch. Internal gestation is about 6 weeks. At birth, the
joey is about the size of a human thumbnail and immediately crawls
through the mother’s fur to enter her pouch. After about seven
months, the joey completely emerges from the pouch, but frequently
returns to nurse.
Tree kangaroos are arboreal and live within the canopy of
mountain forests, generally at elevations above 4000 feet. An adult
male will weigh up to 30 pounds and measure about 30 inches in
length, not including the tail. The Matschie’s tree kangaroo is
also known as the Huon tree kangaroo as it is native to the forests
of the Huon Peninsula in Papua New Guinea. The 14 different species
of tree kangaroos are found only in areas of Papua New Guinea,
Indonesia and Australia.
Guests can visit and see the joey and its mother in the Bronx
Zoo’s JungleWorld exhibit. Exhibit times may vary as the joey
matures and adapts to its surroundings.
This birth is significant for the Bronx Zoo and the AZA
population. It is the result of the zoo’s participation in a
cooperative breeding program administered by the Association of
Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). AZA accredited zoos and aquariums work
together to maintain genetic diversity and demographic stability in
zoo animal populations.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
classifies the Matschie's tree kangaroo as Endangered. It is
estimated that fewer than 2500 remain in the wild. They are
threatened by habitat destruction, unsustainable hunting practices,
and other human activities.
Also at the Bronx Zoo this summer: This year marks the
Bronx Zoo’s 125th anniversary. Through Sunday, August 4th, guests
can experience a temporary exhibit, Animal Chronicles, a
quarter-mile walking trail featuring 68 immersive eco-sculptures
that highlight achievements in the Bronx Zoo’s history of saving
animal species and connecting New Yorkers to wildlife.
The Bronx Zoo The Bronx Zoo, located on 265 acres of
hardwood forest in Bronx, NY, opened on Nov. 8, 1899. It is
world-renowned for its leadership in the areas of animal welfare,
husbandry, veterinary care, education, science and conservation.
The zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums
(AZA) and is the flagship park of the Wildlife Conservation Society
(WCS) which manages the world’s largest network of urban wildlife
parks including the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo,
Queens Zoo and New York Aquarium. Our curators and animal care
staff work to save, propagate, and sustain populations of
threatened and endangered species. We have educated and inspired
more than 400 million visitors at our zoos and aquarium since our
opening and host approximately 4 million guests at our parks each
year – including about a half-million students annually. The Bronx
Zoo is the largest youth employer in the borough of the Bronx,
providing opportunity and helping to transform lives in one of the
most under-served communities in the nation. The Bronx Zoo is the
subject of THE ZOO, a docu-series aired world-wide on Animal
Planet.
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Meghan Gabel, mgabel@wcs.org, 617-633-8660 Mary Dixon,
mdixon@wcs.org, 347-840-1242