Orphaned Tree Kangaroo Saved by Wallaby
Orphaned Tree Kangaroo Saved by Surrogate Wallaby Mother
When little Makaia the tree kangaroo was just 5 weeks old, he lost his mom in a tragic accident at the Adelaide Zoo in Australia. Fueled by adrenalin and armed with an idea, zookeepers quickly stepped in to save Makaia by cross-fostering, or attempting to find a new pouch for him to reside in. They paired Makaia with a surrogate wallaby mother, and miraculously the joey flourished in what the zoo calls the first success story of its kind.
"We were so excited when we confirmed the joey had made it past the first critical 24 hour period. We were uncertain as to whether the joey was going to be accepted," said Gayl Males, Adelaide Zoo team leader of natives, in a news release.
Makaia stayed in his wallaby mom's pouch for just over three months before being weaned off and taken care of by Males. He now spends his days in the zoo and his evenings with her, and she refers to herself as "his third mum."
Scroll through to see pictures and a video of Makaia, and then check out this other adorable animal story out of Australia.
