Tree Kangaroos at Healesville Sanctuary have been embracing spring, receiving fresh flowers personally delivered by keepers.
The heartfelt seasonal gesture not only brightens up the bushland haven, but the blooms also help the Tree ‘Roos squeeze in extra sweetness and fibre into their diet.
Healesville Sanctuary mammal keeper Katherine Sarris said Tree Kangaroo Mani [pron: Mah-knee] absolutely loves having her flowers and eating them too.
“Mani received a selection of native flowers including bottlebrush, grevilia and flowering plum which is her favourite,” Ms Sarris said.
“Tree Kangaroos love munching away especially if there is pollen or nectar involved.
“Unlike me, Mani doesn’t suffer from hay fever and is enjoying all the blossoms at the Sanctuary.”
Goodfellow’s Tree Kangaroos are native to Papua New Guinea and are listed as Endangered with a decreasing population on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List.
Threats to the survival of this species in the wild include loss of habitat and hunting.
Two species of Tree Kangaroo are native to Far North Queensland – the Bennett’s Tree Kangaroo and the Lumholtz’s Tree Kangaroo.
The flowering plum offered to Mani is a plant species found in Australia.
Papua New Guinea also has its own variety that wild Tree Kangaroos like to eat.
Goodfellow’s Tree Kangaroos are the only non-native species at Healesville Sanctuary.
They are marsupials that spend most of their days in the treetops even though they look like they shouldn’t be up in a tree.
Tree Kangaroos have short and wide feet with padding to help them hold onto trees as they move around the canopy.
Their long tails assist with balance.
Healesville Sanctuary is part of the international breeding program to help support the species into the future.
Zoos Victoria supports Tree Kangaroos in the wild, via Coffee for Wildlife in partnership with Genovese.
Sustainably sourced coffee that supports farmers, protects forests and saves wildlife.
For more information visit zoo.org.au/coffee/
