We are home to three Western grey kangaroos - two females called Mia and Rebel, and a male called Ricciardo.
FACT FILE
- The western grey kangaroo is one of the largest and most common of all kangaroos
- Western grey kangaroos have powerful, enlarged rear legs which support the familiar leaping motion. This is also aided by their long tail, which acts as a balance, and by an ankle adaptation which prevents the foot rotating sideways, so that kangaroos cannot twist their ankles while hopping
- They are most active from late afternoon to early morning, resting during the day in the shelter of trees and shrubs
- Western grey kangaroos are herbivores and their diet consists mainly of grasses, some herbs, leaves, tree bark and shrubs. They also have a high tolerance to certain plant toxins
- They are a social species and usually lives in groups, known as ‘mobs’, of up to 50 individuals
- Although breeding can occur all year-round, births usually peak between September and March. After a 30 day gestation the single, tiny new-born climbs unaided through the female’s fur and into the forward-facing pouch, where it attaches to one of four teats. As with other marsupials, most development occurs in the pouch, with the young, or ‘joey’, first emerging after around 280 days, and suckling until about 17 months old
HOW WE'RE HELPING
Like all the animals in our care, our kangaroos are amazing ambassadors for their relatives in the wild and help hundreds of thousands of people connect with nature every year. They encourage visitors to learn about the threats facing wildlife and the action they can take to help create a world where nature is protected, valued, and loved.
As a wildlife conservation charity, we care for the animals here at the zoo and work to protect species at risk around the world. From providing expertise in genetics and veterinary health, to protecting wild places with local conservation partners, and even restoring threatened species to the wild, we are active where we are needed most.
Find out more about RZSS conservation