Chester Zoo Celebrates Second Successful Birth of Endangered Goodfellow's Tree Kangaroo

Chester Zoo has announced the public emergence of a male Goodfellow's tree kangaroo joey, marking a significant development in international conservation efforts for the Endangered species. The infant, which now weighs 1.85 kilograms, was born as part of a cooperative breeding programme aimed at securing the future of Dendrolagus goodfellowi. This successful birth represents only the second time the United Kingdom facility has bred the species in its history.

The development of the joey was closely monitored using advanced endoscopic cameras while it remained inside the pouch, providing essential data on the early life stages of the elusive marsupial. This on-site scientific work is supported by specialized laboratory techniques, including hormone monitoring used to facilitate successful pairing between the mother, Kitawa, and the father, Kayjo. The zoo’s on-site science laboratory is reportedly the only facility of its kind operating within a European zoo, underscoring the advanced nature of the conservation research being conducted.

Goodfellow's tree-kangaroos, also known as the ornate tree-kangaroo, are classified as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The species faces severe threats in its native montane rainforests of Papua New Guinea, primarily due to habitat loss driven by logging and palm oil cultivation, alongside sustained hunting pressure. This population decline is estimated to exceed 50% over the last three generations.

In a move reflecting a broader conservation strategy that emphasizes local empowerment, keepers at Chester Zoo are consulting with communities in Papua New Guinea to select an appropriate name for the young male. The species is arboreal, adapted for life in the trees with strong forelimbs and a long tail for balance, allowing leaps of up to nine meters. The species epithet honors the British collector Walter Goodfellow, whose holotype specimen was formally described in 1908.

Chester Zoo is one of only two institutions in Britain currently housing the Goodfellow's tree-kangaroo. The zoo anticipates the joey will soon be mobile enough for public viewing, which will serve to raise awareness for the threatened animal.