In true-blue Aussie fashion, The Australian Reptile Park’s resident Yellow-footed rock-wallaby joey was caught on camera taking her first ever hops – and just in time for Australia Day! The bouncing bundle of joy was eager to get out of the pouch for the FIRST time ever and had a ripper of a time jumping about!
Dorito had a rough start at life earlier this year as she was rejected by mum, meaning mammal keeper Erica Johnstone had to step up and take up the task of being a new mum! Since taking her under her wing, Dorito is thriving and now can’t stop hopping around the house!
Although small, Dorito has already stolen the hearts of thousands all over the world with an introduction video of her being viewed over 50,000 times. Dorito is taking the correct steps (or hops) towards growing into a perfectly healthy joey and is expected to live a long and happy life at the wildlife sanctuary. Once Dorito is old enough, she will eventually move into the enclosure full time and begin her life as a part of the crucial conservation breeding program for the endangered species.
Ms Johnstone says, “It’s always exciting to see a joey you have put so much of your time and effort into happily hopping around! When we first saw her, we honestly didn’t know if she was going to be okay, so it makes me extremely emotional to see her the happiest joey ever!”
She continued, “And what better day to do it on than Australia day?! It doesn’t get more Australian than that!”
Yellow-footed rock-wallabies are classified as vulnerable in New South Wales. Unfortunately, their beautiful markings led to large numbers of wallabies being killed in the 1800s and early 1900s for their pelts. Currently the main threats are fox and feral cat predation, loss of habitat and competition for food and water sources from feral animals, particularly goats, which are able to survive in the same habitat.