New kangaroo joins the mob to boost genetic diversity

Healesville Sanctuary has welcomed a new kangaroo to its mob. PICTURES: ZOOS VICTORIA

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.