A SECOND endangered tree kangaroo has arrived at the Australian Reptile Park.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Kimbe, named after the capital of the species' native province in Papua New Guinea, joins the park's Banjo to create a breeding pair.
Banjo arrived in January, and the pair have become inseparable since Kimbe's arrival. Keepers say prospects look good enough that they hope for a joey in the near future.
"Kimbe is a beautiful addition to our ever-growing family and serves an important purpose in educating the public about these incredible creatures," Australian Reptile Park general manager Tim Faulkner said.'
"Sadly, tree-kangaroos are endangered, but we're looking forward to Kimbe becoming a part of the nation-wide captive breeding program. Any way we can help this species - we will."
The tree kangaroos are off public display, with an exhibit to be built later this year.
There are 12 species of the animals under threat due to hunting and habitat destruction. The Goodfellow's tree kangaroo, the species Banjo and Kimbe belong to, is slow and clumsy on the ground but agile between branches as it hops with powerful hind legs and grips with its front ones.
The species is a cousin to kangaroos, wallabies and quokkas.