In recent years, the kangaroo enclosure at Tierwelt Herberstein had been home exclusively to male kangaroos. Last year, the go-ahead was given for a breeding program, and two lovely female kangaroos were brought from the Linz Zoo to Eastern Styria. It was clearly “love at first sight” among the kangaroos, because during a routine examination in December, veterinarian Reinhard Pichler detected a walnut-sized embryo on the ultrasound.
“In the last few days, we’ve already been able to see movements in the mother’s pouch with the naked eye. Yesterday, a small, hairless head with big eyes peeked out for the first time!” the zoo vet says happily. After all, breeding wild animals in captivity isn’t always that easy. On top of that, the kangaroo mom has no experience raising a joey yet, since this is her first child. The father, however, is unknown—all four male kangaroos are potential candidates! The second female kangaroo is also showing clear contractions in her pouch.
The gestation period for kangaroos is 30 days; after that, the 2-gram embryo climbs through the birth canal into the pouch and remains attached to the teat for another 30 days. After about 6 months, the joey is developed enough to peek out of the pouch or even climb out. However, it returns to the pouch to feed, sleep, or seek shelter from danger. The joey is nursed for one year.
Mother and joey are doing well and enjoying the attention of their fellow kangaroos and the caretakers. In Herberstein, everyone is now eagerly awaiting the arrival of the second little kangaroo!