Joey Out of the Pouch at Oakland Zoo
Oakland, CA (PRWEB) June 17, 2015 -- **FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
June 17, 2015
Contact: Nicky Mora, Senior Marketing Manager/PR
(510) 632-9525 ext. 130
nmora(at)oaklandzoo(dot)org
June 17, 2015…A joey that started out very small, the size of a kidney bean, is now outside of its mother’s pouch. The baby wallaroo is estimated to be born in the fall of 2014 and visitors are now able to see the youngster while riding the Outback Express Adventure train through the Wild Australia exhibit at Oakland Zoo.
***Media Advisory***
On Wednesday, June 17 from 10:00am – 11:00am, Oakland Zoo will be offering the media photo and video opportunities of the joey. A zookeeper will also be available for interviews during this time. If you plan on attending, please arrive at 9:45am at the Zoo’s Adventure Landing (Rides Area) and contact Nicky Mora, Senior Manager, Marketing/PR at (510) 632-9525, ext 130, or email nmora(at)oaklandzoo(dot)org.
The joey is named Maloo, which means thunder. It likely will grow four or five feet tall. Maloo along with his family can be seen daily between the hours of 11:00am – 3:30pm while riding the Outback Express Adventure Train through Wild Australia. Oakland Zoo’s Wild Australia exhibit is 3.3 acres in size and allows wallaroos and emus to roam freely in their spacious exhibit as well as graze naturally on grasses and shrubs. Oakland Zoo strives to provide its animals with expansive naturalistic habitats that imitate habitats in the wild. “We are very pleased to welcome another joey to our Wild Australia exhibit,” said Lovesong Cahill, Senior Keeper at Oakland Zoo. “Maloo is doing great, but still prefers to stay close to mom. From the train, you can see him hopping around, learning what is edible to graze upon, or resting in the afternoon sun with his fellow wallaroos.”
Wallaroo joeys are born blind and helpless, beginning in their mother’s cloaca, then to the pouch, where they crawl in and latch onto a nipple. It takes nearly six months before the joeys start peeking outside the pouch. At this age of development, they also resemble their parents and begin making appearances outside of the pouch.
ABOUT WALLAROOS:
This species is found in Eastern Australia, but the animals prefer rocky landscape with slopes and caves. Wallaroos sleep in the warmer part of the day, eating mostly in the early morning or at dusk, and are almost nocturnal in some areas. They need very little water and get moisture from the food. They mainly feast on grass and shrubs. Males can become almost twice the size of females. Males weigh around ninety pounds and females weigh fifty-five to seventy pounds. Fur is brown on males and grey on females. Height can range from 3.5' to 7' tall including the tail. They can leap up to 15 ' in length (horizontally) and jump up to 12'+ in height. Wallaroos are solitary except when breeding. Their tail is used for balance when jumping and as a prop when standing. Hind legs are very strong and are used as a weapon when cornered - sharp claws on hind feet are able to disembowel opponents. Males are called bucks, but are often called "boomers." Females are referred to as doe or can be called "flyers.” These animals make a loud hissing noise or a clicking noise. Nose has no fur (unlike kangaroos).
ABOUT OAKLAND ZOO:
The Bay Area’s award-winning Oakland Zoo is home to more than 660 native and exotic animals. The Zoo offers many educational programs and kid’s activities perfect for science field trips, family day trips and exciting birthday parties. Nestled in the Oakland Hills, in 500-acre Knowland Park, the Zoo is located at 9777 Golf Links Road, off Highway 580. The East Bay Zoological Society (Oakland Zoo) is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization supported in part by members, contributions, the City of Oakland and the East Bay Regional Parks. For more information please visit our website at http://www.oaklandzoo.org.
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Nicky Mora, Senior Manager, PR, Oakland Zoo, http://www.oaklandzoo.org, (510) 632-9525 Ext: 130, [email protected]
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