Zookeepers at Adelaide Zoo in Australia are being hailed as heroes for saving a 5-week-old tree kangaroo after its mother died.
Makaia was orphaned in November and because of the young age of the joey, hand rearing was not possible. The animal care specialists knew the only option was to cross-foster the joey with a yellow-foot rock-wallaby to save his life, according to the Adelaide Zoo’s website.
They put the baby in the pouch of a surrogate mother and sat back hoping that the wallaby would accept the tree kangaroo joey.
"We were so excited when we confirmed the joey had made it past the first critical 24 hour period," Adelaide Zoo Team Leader of Natives, Gayl Males said.
He stayed with his wallaby mum for about three and half months until Males took over caring for him. He's healthy and growing bigger each day.
"He's certainly a cheeky little fellow and loves running amok, testing the boundaries using my home as his personal playground, climbing on everything, pulling toilet paper off the rolls, but he also loves quiet time cuddling with my husband in the evening while we watch TV," said Males
"He truly is a special little guy and I am so pleased that Adelaide Zoo has the staff and expertise to successfully perform this world first cross-foster. Makaia is the result of all our hard work — we can’t wait to share his amazing story with the world!"
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Source: Orphaned tree kangaroo saved at zoo by LittleThingsVideo on Rumble
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