Baby kangaroo at Bronx Zoo

A Matschie's tree kangaroo, born in December, made its public debut at the Bronx Zoo this week, marking the second offspring of its mother since 2022 and the third of its kind born at the zoo since 2008. The species, native to Papua New Guinea's Huon Peninsula, is critically endangered with only about 2,500 remaining in the wild and 42 in captivity. After a gestation of approximately six weeks, joeys crawl into their mother's pouch at birth and begin to peek out after seven months. Bronx Zoo curator Jessica Moody highlighted the significance of the birth for genetic diversity efforts among endangered species, describing baby tree kangaroos as incredibly cute. The species faces threats from habitat destruction and hunting, emphasizing the importance of conservation programs. Wildlife restoration initiatives often rely on zoos to help maintain genetic diversity, reducing inbreeding risks in reintroduced populations.