Rare baby tree kangaroo emerges from mother's pouch at Chester Zoo

A Goodfellow's tree kangaroo joey at Chester Zoo has emerged from his mother's pouch for the first time and now weighs 1.85kg; he was born under an international conservation programme for the endangered species.

Chester Zoo reports that a rare Goodfellow's tree kangaroo joey has emerged from his mother's pouch for the first time. The joey was born as part of an international conservation programme for a species whose wild populations have declined by around 50% because of hunting and deforestation. The male now weighs 1.85kg and was much smaller at birth. Zoo staff monitored his development inside the pouch using small cameras and by tracking hormone and behavioural signs. Key facts: - Species and range: Goodfellow's tree kangaroos are native to the forests of Papua New Guinea and are smaller than Australian kangaroos. - Conservation context: The joey was born under an international conservation breeding programme; only two zoos in the UK currently care for this species and this is the second successful breeding at Chester Zoo. - Current status: The male joey has left the pouch and weighs 1.85kg. - Monitoring methods: Zoo staff used small endoscopic cameras and monitored hormones and behaviour to follow development. Summary: Zoo experts say the tracked development has already provided new information about early pouch life that can support conservation breeding efforts globally. Undetermined at this time.