Goodfellow’s Tree Kangaroo Hops in to WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: November 13, 2020 11:25 am

Kofi the goodfellow’s tree kangaroo settles in at his new home

Photo Credit: WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo

WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo’s newest arrival may not look like a kangaroo or move like a kangaroo but he is certainly a kangaroo. Kofi is the first goodfellow’s tree kangaroo to call the Darling Harbor Zoo home. He enjoys climbing trees and his favorite food is boiled eggs.

Kofi moved from Victoria to New South Wales earlier this month and has spent 2 weeks settling in at the newly created Tricky Tongue and Treetops Zone. The redesigned habitat now includes a hut where he can nap, branches which he can climb along with mulberry and willow trees which he can eat.

Kofi the goodfellow’s tree kangaroo settles in at his new home

Photo Credit: WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo

“Kofi was initially shy with us keepers but over the past few weeks he has become a lot more comfortable with us, he’s taking food from our hands and he’s getting his confidence up day by day,” said Renee Howell, WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo Head Keeper.

While they are called kangaroos the goodfellow’s tree kangaroo does not closely resemble its iconic hopping cousin. The 14 species of tree kangaroo have adapted to live in the trees with shorter limbs, sharp claws and the ability to move their limbs independently.

A goodfellow’s tree kangaroo is able to leap up to 18m (59ft) between two trees. Unfortunately their population is declining in their native New Guinea due to hunting and habitat loss.

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Kofi was born at Healesville Sanctuary in Victoria as part of the international breeding program which aims to increase the numbers of this species. At WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo he will be an ambassador for his threatened species.

“We hope that by introducing Kofi and an endangered species such as a Goodfellow’s Tree Kangaroo at the zoo, we can inspire visitors to further research these lesser-known creatures and get involved in protecting them in the wild,” Renee Howell, WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo Head Keeper said.

“We also expect a few visitors to fawn over him as he is a real beauty.”

Kofi the goodfellow’s tree kangaroo settles in at his new home

Photo Credit: WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo

Learn more about goodfellow’s tree kangaroos – Goodfellow’s Tree Kangaroo | The Animal Facts

Learn more about WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo on their website – WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo