Wallabies bounce into new home at Lotherton Wildlife World

The six female wallabies recently arrived at the Aberford estate from Yorkshire Wildlife Park and have settled well into their new home.

Wallabies are a type of marsupial often mistaken for kangaroos, which are much larger in size than wallabies. Native to Australia and Tasmania, the females, like kangaroos have a pouch used to nurse their babies who are also referred to as joeys.

The joey will stay in its mum’s pouch until it is about six months old when it will come out of the pouch to hop around. However, they often keep returning to the pouch until they can no longer fit.

Lotherton’s Wildlife World hosts a collection of animals protected and preserved by the site, some of which are part of international breeding and conservation programmes. The site is home to a spectacular variety of wildlife species including emus, cranes, Arthur the tapir and critically endangered Visayan warty pigs.

Earlier this year, the zoo launched a special capybara experience where two people get to feed the small family of capybaras and learn all about them. A penguin experience is also available for groups of up to four people where they get to meet Wobble, Bilbo and the gang and take charge of their feeding time.

Councillor Mohammed Rafique, Leeds City Council’s executive member for climate, energy, environment and green space, said: “It is fantastic to see another great addition to Lotherton’s Wildlife World, and I’m pleased that the wallabies are settling in well and are already making people eager to go. The zoo is a great day out for the whole family where you can learn about these fascinating animals.”

Read more about what's on at Lotherton at https://museumsandgalleries.leeds.gov.uk/pQgYkhm/lotherton/what-s-on

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