A baby endangered tree kangaroo is one of Roger Williams Park Zoo's newest inhabitants
The Roger Williams Park Zoo announced the birth, which took place earlier this year, of an endangered kangaroo species that lives in trees, often more than 100 feet above the ground.
Paia "was the size of a lima bean (when she was born) and crawled blindly into mother Keweng's pouch where she continued to grow and nurse," the zoo said in a Facebook post.
"Keweng has been a great mom, diligently cleaning her pouch and joey every day," the zoo said. "Paia will continue to spend a lot of time in her mom’s pouch. You may even catch a glimpse of her popping her head out! As our little Joey matures, she will grow more independent and begin to explore her on her own."
Paia was born June 27, but the zoo didn't announce the birth until Christmas Eve. The pair also appeared in a zoo Christmas greeting, with Paia peeking from mom's pouch. "From our growing Zoo family to yours, Merry Christmas and Happiest Holidays! Wishing you a safe and joyous season," it says.
The birth is "significant" for the zoo, a participant in the Tree Kangaroo Species Survival Plan, which "focuses on breeding to ensure the survival of this endangered species," the zoo said. Fewer than 2,500 Matschie’s tree kangaroos live in the wild, according to the Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program.
Among about 12 species of tree kangaroos, Matschie's tree kangaroos live on the Huon Peninsula of northeastern Papua New Guinea, according to the conservation program. "Habitat destruction caused by logging and mining exploration is a danger to tree kangaroo populations," the program says. "Tree kangaroos play an important role in the culture and diet of the indigenous people, and unsustainable hunting practices threaten the survival of tree kangaroos."
Several years ago, the Roger Williams Park Zoo claimed to have the oldest Matschie's tree kangaroo in the country. Paul was 23 years, five months and five days old when he died in 2018 from complications due to heart issues.
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Paia will likely spend another month or so in her mother's pouch, but will return for a couple of months for nursing before being weaned at 13 months.
Elusive, tree kangaroos spend most of their time in trees, where they eat leaves, as well as ferns, moss and tree bark, according to the Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program.
"Locals call it the 'ghost of the forest' because it is so hard to find and moves so quickly," the San Diego Zoo says. "No one is exactly sure when this marsupial in the kangaroo family took to the trees, but it is clearly well adapted for life on high, with long, bark-gripping claws, strong limbs for climbing, and a long tail for balance."
Growing to about 20 pounds, they can jump from heights of 60 feet to the forest floor without hurting themselves, the Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program says.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Tree kangaroo born at Roger Williams Park Zoo
