San Diego Zoo Safari Park Introduce Tree Kangaroo Joey

San Diego Zoo Safari Park are hopping with excitement to announce the birth of a matschie's tree kangaroo as part of their conservation efforts for this threatened species. This is only the second time that conservationists at the park have had success with breeding this threatened species.

The female joey has been named Kikori and was born to mother Arona and father Bek at the park during August 2022.

“We are elated with the birth of this Matschie’s tree kangaroo joey,” said Donovan Vila, wildlife care specialist, San Diego Zoo Safari Park. “Matschie’s tree kangaroos are endangered, so this joey provides hope for the future of this species.”

Born the size of a jellybean in August Kikori made her way to Arona's pouch where she has since been growing. Recently she made her way out of the pouch for the first time. As she starts to venture outside she has begun to take an interest in browse items such as ficus, hibiscus and ferns, and is sampling solid food such as carrots, cucumber and lettuce.

San Diego Zoo Safari Park became home to a family of Matschie's tree kangaroo during 2018. Their animals are hosted as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Matschie’s Tree Kangaroo Species Survival Plan (SSP), designed to help maintain a healthy assurance population of this species.

This species is considered endangered in the native habitat with less than 2,500 individuals remaining in the wild. Little is known about the natural habits of this species. They are thought to be solitary and they eat leaves from forest trees, vines, shrubs and herbs.

Guests visiting the San Diego Zoo Safari Park may be able to meet these individuals within the Australian Walkabout habitat which features a range of iconic Australian species including grey kangaroos and the only platypus on display outside of Australia.