MOUNTAIN VIEWS STAR MAIL
Home » News » New kangaroo joins the mob to boost genetic diversity

New kangaroo joins the mob to boost genetic diversity

Healesville Sanctuary has welcomed a new male Kangaroo Island kangaroo from Ballarat Wildlife Park.

The two-year-old arrived this month and is settling in well, bouncing around and sharing food with the rest of the mob.

Sanctuary keepers hope he will become a breeding male once reaching maturity as he will have different genetics to the other females in the mob.

Being introduced at a young age also allows the entire mob to become comfortable having him around before he reaches maturity.

Genetic diversity is important to maintain a healthy population of a species and to promote this, Zoos often move animals around.

For example, when Kangaroo Island kangaroo Munup is old enough, he will eventually move to a new home where the mob has different genetics.

Visitors can see this new roo in Kangaroo Country. He is smaller than the other kangaroos and has light grey fur.

Digital Editions