On the morning of December 5, 2012, loud cries were heard coming from the sleeping quarters of the kangaroo enclosure Tama Zoo Upon closer inspection, a baby Red Kangaroo was found outside its mother's pouch (outside the pouch). The mother is Kasumi, a four-year-old kangaroo. The baby had spent a long time inside its mother's pouch, but recently, as it had grown larger, its legs and tail were often sticking out.

When the door to the enclosure was opened, the baby swam into its mother's pouch and was carried outside. While the parent was eating grass, the baby poked its head out of the pouch and munched on the grass with them.

On the morning of the 9th, she was energetically walking around her sleeping area. When the door to the enclosure was opened, she didn't go back into the pouch, but instead joined the group of kangaroos and skillfully hopped down the slope. She showed no signs of wariness or confusion, and her movements were so impressive that it was hard to believe it was her first time.

When Kasumi had her baby in her pouch, she remained vigilant, reacting immediately to any noise and preparing to flee. However, after the baby emerged from the pouch, although she occasionally nurses and licks its bottom, she doesn't pay any attention to the baby when moving between the exercise area and the sleeping area in the morning and evening, and acts independently. Sometimes, the baby is left alone in the enclosure in the evening. She must feel safe now.

Three offspring hatched in 2012 and are currently growing. Kagemaru and Yuta hatched in July, and Minato in September. As you might have guessed from their names, they were all males. The gender of Kasumi's offspring is still unknown. Will it be the first female of the year, or...?

Photo above: A baby peeking out of its mother's pouch.
Photo below: Children and adults completely out of the bag

[Tama Zoo, Tama Zoological Park]

(December 21, 2012)