Endangered Matschie’s Tree Kangaroo Born at Nebraska Zoo — Marking Only the Third Such Birth in 2025
The animals are found in the wild only on the Huon Peninsula of Papua New Guinea
According to the animal establishment, the joey is “one of only three born this year in AZA-accredited zoos,” referring to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
The baby, who has yet to be named, was born in April to parents Judie and Bexley. It is still too early to determine whether the animal is a male or female.
“The joey currently spends most of its time inside mom’s pouch, but will start to venture outside of the pouch more and more over the next few months,” the Lincoln Children’s Zoo said.
Matschie’s tree kangaroos are an endangered species, according to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). They are found only on the Huon Peninsula of Papua New Guinea.
The Lincoln Children’s Zoo said in its social media post that it “has a longstanding commitment to protecting this endangered species.”
The organization added that it also “participates in the AZA Species Survival Plan, is a program partner for Tree Kangaroo of Papua New Guinea SAFE (saving species from extinction) and supports the Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program, an organization working with local communities in Papua New Guinea to preserve forests and protect wild tree kangaroos.”
According to the WWF, Matschie’s tree kangaroos have a distinct mahogany-brown coloring and are thought to live to about 14 years in the wild, but can live longer, around 20 years, in captivity.