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Matschie's Tree Kangaroo

• Class:  Mammalia
• Order:   Diprotodontia
• Family:  Macropodidae
• Genus:  Dendrolagus
• Species:  matschiei

In forests of towering trees covered in moss and ferns, lives this elusive and remarkable tree kangaroo. Locals call it the “ghost of the forest” because it is so hard to find and moves so quickly. No one is exactly sure when this marsupial in the kangaroo family took to the trees, but it is clearly well adapted for life on high, with long, bark-gripping claws, strong limbs for climbing, and a long tail for balance. These are good traits to have for an animal that spends most of its time 100 feet or more above the ground, nibbling ferns and orchids and looking out at dizzying views over the forest canopy.

Branching Out  With its powerful limbs and long tail, the Matschie’s tree kangaroo is adapted for climbing trees. Topping out at around 22 pounds, Matschie’s may not rival their bigger brethren like the western gray kangaroo in size (those ‘roos can weigh up to 120 pounds), but this mighty little mammal is adaptable, finding its food both in tree canopies and on the ground.

The Matschie’s tree kangaroo has thick, dense fur that is reddish-mahogany on the back, and a dark stripe down the spine. Its limbs, feet, and ear tips are yellow, and its face is white or cream color. The Matschie’s tree kangaroo’s coat helps it in two ways: Its fur is thick enough to insulate a tree kangaroo against damp weather, and its coloring camouflages for protection against predators—including humans!

Stocky in build, a Matchsie's tree kangaroo has muscular forelimbs that are approximately the same length as its hind legs. These tree kangaroos have long, sharp claws on both front and hind feet that help them climb trees with ease. Patches of roughened skin also help with gripping. Of all tree kangaroos Dendrolagus , the Matschie’s tree kangaroo is believed to be the best vertical climber.

HABITAT AND DIET

Rainforest, sweet rainforest. The Matschie’s tree kangaroo has a very small home range—it's endemic to the Huon Peninsula of New Guinea. (It's also known as the Huon tree kangaroo.) Spending most of its time in trees, the Matschie’s tree kangaroo is arboreal, living in mid-montane to upper-montane cloud forests at elevations of up to 11,000 feet. On the ground, tree kangaroos sometimes seem slow and uncoordinated, but in the trees, they are bold and agile.

The secret life of tree dwellers.   Despite their climbing and jumping abilities, tree kangaroos sleep 60 percent of the time, curling up in whatever tree they happen to be in. Matschie’s tree kangaroos are solitary, live-and-let-live sorts, basically ignoring one another even when sharing the same tree. Females do not share territories. Territory size of females averages 4.5 acres (1.8 hectares), while males claim overlapping territories of 11 acres (4.5 hectares). Larger territories increase breeding opportunities for males.

Just browsing. Matschie’s tree kangaroos are folivorous, eating leaves from a variety of forest trees, vines, ferns, orchids, shrubs, and herbs. They might supplement this diet with small amounts of fruit and flowers, tender grasses, and even tree bark.

FAMILY LIFE

Pouch patrol.   Solitary in nature, Matschie's tree kangaroos only come together to mate. Having no defined mating season, females go into estrus ("heat") every 51 to 79 days. When, following a gestation of approximately 40 to 45 days (the longest of any known marsupial), the fetus-like joey is born, it climbs into its mother's pouch and finds a teat to latch onto.

Female Matschie’s tree kangaroos carry their joey in their pouch for 8 to 10 months; but even after the baby leaves the pouch, it may return to nurse for up to 2 months afterward. Then, it’s off to make its own home. 

Say what? Even though Matschie’s tree kangaroos are quiet by nature, they still manage to get their point across. They communicate via visual display, touch, some vocalization, and, most importantly, through chemical cues.

CONSERVATION

Hunting for solutions.  It is estimated that there are fewer than 2,500 adult Matschie’s tree kangaroos left in their native habitat, and their population is dropping. They are hunted by humans for food and trade. Habitat loss due to expanding agriculture further threatens their population.

By supporting San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, you are our ally in saving and protecting wildlife worldwide.

Matschie's tree kangaroos in human care have a median life expectancy of about 12 years.

Gestation: 44 days

Number of young: One offspring, called a joey

Size at birth: about 1 inch (2.5 centimeters)

Maturity: 2 to 2.5 years old

Males are about 26 inches (66 centimeters) long, plus a tail nearly equal to body length. Females are slightly smaller.

Jump to it! Matschie’s tree kangaroos can leap 60 feet to the ground without injury.

Like water off a duck’s back. Curly whorls on the tree kangaroo’s back fur let water run right off it.

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Times of San Diego

Local News and Opinion for San Diego

Too Cute: Endangered Matschie’s Tree Kangaroo Joey Born at San Diego Zoo Safari Park

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The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is celebrating a conservation milestone with the birth of an endangered Matschie’s tree kangaroo—only the second time this species has been born at the Safari Park.

The female joey, named Kikori, was born to mother Arona and father Bek, at the end of August 2022 at the Safari Park’s Walkabout Australia.  “We are elated with the birth of this Matschie’s tree kangaroo joey,” said Donovan Vila, wildlife care specialist, at San Diego Zoo Safari Park. “Matschie’s tree kangaroos are endangered, so this joey provides hope for the future of this species.”  

Matschie’s tree kangaroos are about the size of a jellybean at birth, after a 45-day gestation period. Once born, the joey crawls into its mother’s pouch, where it attaches to a nipple and begins to develop as it gains nourishment. The joey remains in the pouch until around 6 months of age when it becomes considerably more active—and movement is often seen outside the pouch. By 7 months of age, joey’s head should be fully visible.  

Arona’s joey is now 9 months old and recently started climbing out of the pouch. She also is showing interest in browsing items such as ficus, hibiscus, and ferns, and is sampling solid food such as carrots, cucumber, and lettuce. The joey will remain in her mother’s pouch for about eight to 10 months, exiting the pouch for extended periods and returning to the nurse. Arona will wean her joey when the youngster is about a year old, but joey will stay close to mom for about a year and a half.  

Matschie’s tree kangaroos are native to one tiny part of the world—Papua New Guinea and the Huon Peninsula—and they are sometimes found in the rainforests of Australia. They are listed as Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species. It is estimated that there are fewer than 2,500 adult Matschie’s tree kangaroos left in their native habitats, and their population is decreasing. They are hunted by humans for food and trade. Habitat loss due to expanding agriculture further threatens their population.  

 Little is known about Matschie’s tree kangaroos in their native habitat, but they are believed to be solitary animals except when a mother is raising offspring. Matschie’s tree kangaroos live in elevations of up to 11,000 feet and spend most of their time in trees, eating leaves from a variety of forest trees, along with vines, ferns, orchids, shrubs, and herbs. Because their diet consists mostly of fruits, seeds, and nuts, they are primary seed dispersers and contribute to creating and maintaining healthy forests. In addition, they are culturally important to Indigenous communities.  

Matschie’s tree kangaroos arrived at the Safari Park in 2018 as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Matschie’s Tree Kangaroo Species Survival Plan, designed to help maintain a healthy assurance population of this species. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is involved in wildlife conservation efforts in eight eco-regional conservation “hubs” worldwide, including the Australian Forest Conservation Hub.  

The Safari Park’s Walkabout Australia experience offers a view into habitats of the Land Down Under, featuring Australia’s interesting and unique species. Featured wildlife besides Matschie’s tree kangaroos includes western gray kangaroos, southern cassowaries, and two platypuses—the only two living outside of Australia.  

 Guests visiting Walkabout Australia may get a glimpse of Arona and her joey in their habitat, adjacent to Zuest Woolshed.

Wild, Incisive, Fearless.

An initiative of the Center for Biological Diversity

Species Spotlight: Matschie’s Tree Kangaroo — an Elusive, Arboreal Marsupial

This remarkable species lives in forests of towering trees. Locals call it the “ghost of the forest,” because it’s so hard to find and moves so quickly.

May 12, 2023 - by Zach Martin

Species name:

Matschie’s tree kangaroo ( Dendrolagus matschiei )

Description:

The Matschie’s tree kangaroo has thick, reddish mahogany fur on its back and a dark stripe down its spine. Its limbs, feet and ear tips are yellow, and its face is white or cream-colored. Stocky in build, a Matschie’s tree kangaroo has muscular forelimbs approximately the same length as its hind legs and long, sharp claws on both front and hind feet that help them climb trees. An adult female weighs between 15 and 20 pounds, while an adult male weighs between 20 and 25 pounds. They measure from 20 to 32 inches in height.

Where it’s found:

Native to Papua New Guinea and endemic to the Huon Peninsula, Matschie’s tree kangaroos live in elevations of up to 11,000 feet and spend most of their time in trees, eating leaves, vines, ferns, orchids, shrubs and herbs. Little is known about Matschie’s tree kangaroos in their native habitat, but they are believed to be solitary animals, except when a mother is raising offspring.

IUCN Red List status:

Endangered. It is estimated that there are fewer than 2,500 adults left in their native habitat, and their population is decreasing.

Major threats:

Matschie’s tree kangaroos are hunted by humans for food and trade. Habitat loss due to expanding agriculture further threatens their population.

Notable conservation programs:

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums Matschie’s Tree Kangaroo Species Survival Plan is designed to help save this species from the brink of extinction. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance also donates to the Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program, which supports in situ conservation, scientific research, land protection and local community livelihoods in Papua New Guinea.

My favorite experience:

We have three Matschie’s tree kangaroos at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and in August 2022 saw the birth of the newest joey. On average, a female Matschie’s tree kangaroo cycles about every 55 days for about 48 hours, providing very limited time for the female and male to breed. We knew Arona, the female, and Beks, the male, had mated, but we didn’t know if the outcome would be successful. We began watching Arona on cameras placed in her den and anxiously waited for signs that she might be pregnant and give birth.

Arona participates in her own healthcare, and she has choice and control of what she wants or does not want to do. She has a great relationship with her wildlife care specialists, and because of this, we were able to look inside her pouch and discover the joey. Our team was so excited. This birth helps contribute to the world’s population of Matschie’s tree kangaroos, and we are proud of the work we do for the conservation of this species.

As a first-time mom, Arona is very attentive to her joey, and both are doing very well. The joey will remain in the pouch for up to 10 months or so, exiting the pouch for extended periods and returning to nurse. Arona will wean her joey when it’s about a year old, but the joey will stay close to mom for about a year and a half.

What else do we need to do to protect this species?

These animals need our help. Habitat loss through deforestation and poaching are pushing Matschie’s tree kangaroos to the brink of extinction. People can help the species by supporting organizations like San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and others working to conserve this species. Also, when buying wood or furniture, ask if the wood is Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified. This means the wood was taken in a way approved by forestry experts.

Previously in The Revelator:

Species Spotlight: Baird’s Tapir, Our Allies Against Climate Change

Zach Martin

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Kangaroos, Wallabies and More! Walkabout Australia Opens at San Diego Zoo Safari Park

The San Diego Zoo Safari Park opened its all-new Walkabout Australia habitat earlier today (Friday, May 25, 2018) with an opening ceremony featuring ambassador animals, dancers and more. Guests visiting the new exhibit were excited to be among the first to experience the main feature of the immersive habitat – a walk-through kangaroo and wallaby exhibit.

“Australia is an extraordinary place, and we are thrilled to provide a snapshot of some of the wonders from Down Under at the all-new Walkabout Australia experience at the Safari Park,” said Lisa Peterson, director, San Diego Zoo Safari Park. “I think what is amazing about Walkabout Australia have used a thematic approach to provide our guests with the ability to see animals in an authentic and immersive environment. They can walk around and see the kangaroo, wallaby and birds in a way they might be able to see them if they could join them in nature. Not only does Walkabout Australia allow us to connect people to Australia’s fascinating wildlife, but it also adds another dimension to San Diego Zoo Global’s efforts to save endangered species, such as the Matschie’s tree kangaroo.”

The Safari Park is known for its expansive habitats featuring African and Asian species, but now it offers a view into the Land Down Under, featuring Australia’s interesting and unique species. Walkabout Australia takes guests through four different types of Australian habitats: grassland, rain forest, wetlands and desert. Featured animals include western gray kangaroos, red-necked wallabies, brush turkeys, radjah shelducks, freckled ducks, magpie geese, double-wattled cassowaries and Matschie’s tree kangaroos.

During a visit, guests also may come nose-to-nose with animals like a wombat, kookaburra, echidna, blue-tongued skink, woma, rose-breasted cockatoo or sugar glider. Accompanied by their keepers, these extraordinary animal ambassadors will be available for up-close encounters several times throughout the day.

Walkabout Australia represents Australia’s rural landscapes and the animals, plants and signs of human habitation encountered along backcountry roads. The 3.6-acre Walkabout Australia cost $17.4 million to build, and is located at the base of the trail to Condor Ridge, adjacent to Tull Family Tiger Trail.

After strolling along a country road among Australian bottlebrush and eucalyptus trees, guests come upon a tumbledown stone house that welcomes them to the grassland. A pathway with no barriers leads guests through an expansive meadow, home to a large group of western gray kangaroos, red-necked wallabies and magpie geese. While guests are asked to be respectful of the animals and to stay on the pathway, the kangaroos and wallabies are welcome to get quite close to visitors, especially if they are feeling inquisitive! This unique opportunity is similar to experiences offered by zoos in Australia, which are a key part of their work to engage local communities in species preservation.

In this era of changing climate conditions, Australia—like California—is experiencing longer and more widespread periods of drought, along with an increase in wildfires. As a result, water is a more precious resource than ever before. Walkabout Australia explores the vital connection between water and the animals and people that depend on it. A stream runs through the grassland area, pooling in a pond—called a billabong by Australians. Its source is a larger wetland pond, where guests will see waterfowl like radjah shelducks and freckled ducks.

A water conservation tank, like one that might be used by Australian farmers or ranchers, demonstrates how collecting water during the rains can be a valuable resource during dry times, and provides suggestions for how to collect and save water at your own home.

The path then leads to Walkabout Australia’s central gathering place—the Zuest (pronounced “Zest”) Station. The Zuest Station is a rustic building representing the wool shearing sheds found on Australia’s many sheep ranches, which are called “stations.” Here, you can stop for a bite to eat and a cool drink, then look around the themed building to learn about the various techniques and traditions of sheep ranching and wool production practiced in Australia for more than 200 years.

On the way into Zuest Station and from a floor-to-ceiling glass window inside the building, guests can view Australia’s rain forest habitat and the Matschie’s tree kangaroo. These endangered marsupials are native to mountainous forests and are part of a Species Survival Plan breeding program at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, designed to help save their species from the brink of extinction.

Wandering outside Zuest Station, farther into a rain forest habitat, visitors will see the double-wattled cassowary. At 5 feet tall and weighing 130 pounds, this prehistoric-looking bird is hard to miss as it rustles through the brush. Cassowaries are listed as a species of Least Concern on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species, however most tallies put the number of cassowaries remaining in Australia around 1,500 to 2,000. This flightless bird will also be part of a breeding program at the Safari Park, to help build a healthy assurance population.

Australia’s interior and western deserts are legendary for their hot, dry, inhospitable conditions. To experience a bit of this environment, a bridge from Zuest Station leads guests to enormous, rounded rocks similar to those found in Australia, called Devil’s Marbles. From here, Walkabout Australia has opened up new routes to take guests to World Gardens or to Condor Ridge, making it easier than ever to explore all the Safari Park has to offer.

For Walkabout Australia guests who want to upgrade their experience, the Roos & Mates Behind-the-Scenes Safari offers an Aussie-style stroll with a knowledgeable guide around the new habitat. Participants will be able to explore keeper-only areas and get up close to some of the amazing Australian species residing at Walkabout Australia. For more information or to make reservations, visit sdzsafaripark.org/safari/behind-scenes-safari .

The Walkabout Australia website offers more information about the animals and plants that call Walkabout Australia home, and provides fun “Rooisms”—like “Don’t Worry, Be Hoppy”—to share on social media. Online visitors tosdzsafaripark.org/walkabout can take a quick quiz to see which Aussie animal they are like, with participants automatically entered to win a Roos & Mates Behind-the-Scenes Safari for two. Visitors also may share their Walkabout experience on Instagram with #WalkaboutAustralia, and be entered to win a Roos & Mates Behind-the-Scenes Safari for four.

Also, to celebrate the new Walkabout Australia experience, the Safari Park has launched a unique augmented reality (AR) smartphone app called Danceabout Australia. The immersive app is jam-packed with cutting-edge technology and Aussie fun for the whole family. Users can transform the world around them into an outback disco—complete with dancing kangaroos, beautiful stylized environmental elements and hopping dance tracks. Users appear in the resulting videos, dancing with kangaroos—and they can then share their dance parties with their friends. The app is available for download here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/danceabout-australia/id1368633786?mt=8 .

Walkabout Australia is included with Safari Park admission and membership.

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• Wildlife Care

Tree kangaroo

Some Endangered

Tree kangaroos eat mostly tree leaves. They sometimes eat buds, flowers, and fruit, too.

Other kangaroos live on the ground, but tree kangaroos live high in trees.

description

Description

High climbers.

Tree kangaroos don’t hop as well as their kangaroo relatives, but there’s not much room for hopping when you’re in a tree. That’s where tree kangaroos spend most of their time. They can climb higher than a 10-story building! Sometimes they come down to the ground to move to a different tree, but they can also jump from tree to tree. Strong arms and legs, and long, curved claws are adaptations for this way of life.

Bringing the baby

A baby tree kangaroo is called a joey. Where is a joey while its mother is high in the forest? It’s safe inside her warm pouch. Like other marsupials, kangaroo joeys are tiny when they are born. (One could probably fit up your nose!) They grow faster in mom’s pouch, where they are nourished by her milk.

Trouble in the treetops

Many kinds of tree kangaroos are critically endangered. The biggest threat to their survival is people who want to change forests into places to harvest wood, grow crops, raise livestock, or build cities. Tree kangaroos on the island of New Guinea face another threat, too. People hunt them for food.

A tree kangaroo’s upper front teeth are adapted for cutting leaves and stems. Its molars are good at grinding up leafy food.

Tree kangaroos are usually silent.

Longer than the combined length of its head and body, a tree kangaroo’s tail helps the animal balance on tree limbs.

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Kangaroos, kookaburras and echidnas, oh my! Walkabout Australia opens at San Diego Zoo Safari Park

San Diego Zoo Safari Park to open new Walkabout Australia exhibit.

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The vastness of rural Australia and its varied habitats -- the desert outback, the lush grasslands, the dense forests and the northern rainforests — can’t be known in just a few hours.

But you’ll get a taste of what it’s like at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s new Walkabout Australia attraction, which opens Friday.

Inquisitive kangaroos and energetic wallabies; fearsome megabirds called cassowaries; laughing kookaburras and other native Australian wildlife now live in the habitat.

Encompassing 3.6 acres and costing $17.4 million, Walkabout Australia is located at the base of the trail to Condor Ridge, near Tull Family Tiger Trail . It’s included with admission to the Safari Park, east of Escondido.

As visitors walk the paths to different habitats, the climate changes to match.

The shaded rainforest supports Matschie’s tree kangaroos . Beside living in trees, they’re notable for resembling a cross between a kangaroo and a bear.

These endangered kangaroos are naturally found in a remote corner of Papua New Guinea, which used to be part of the Australian continent.

“There’s only about 2,500 of them left in the world, and there’s only 46 of them in North America as part of the species survival plan,” said Steve Metzler, animal care manager for the Safari Park.

“This habitat is to simulate where they’re from, the higher elevation rainforest of northern Australia and Papua New Guinea,” Metzler said.

“We wanted to make sure we are not only going to be taking great care of them here, but that it’s conducive for the breeding program, so we’re going to make little tree kangaroos for years to come.”

The hot, humid air of the rainforest is replicated using misting devices, which supports the foliage.

Elsewhere in Walkabout Australia, the continent’s other main elements — namely sun, desert and heat — are naturally provided by San Diego’s climate.

These habitats simulate what would otherwise require extensive travel to experience, Metzler said.

“It’s the mixed grasslands and woodlands of Australia, the northern rain forest areas of Australia and then into the deserts of Australia, so you really get a sense of the totality of Australia,” Metzler said.

Buildings and signs built out of weathered wood and corrugated metal mark the habitats, including a veranda and water tank.

Hungry or thirsty? Drop by the Zeust Family Station, a replica of a sheep-shearing shed.

While they enjoy Safari Park fare, visitors can take in the features of a sheep farmer’s life hanging from the walls and ceiling. Even the toilets, or “dunnies,” replicate old outhouses found in the Outback. (With the addition of modern plumbing).

Outside, replicas of old utility poles mark the paths, along with signs appropriate to the regions.

Many of the structures were inspired by the youth of Safari Park architect Robyn Badger, who grew up in the South Australian city of Adelaide.

“I used to take drives with my family when I was younger out in the countryside,” Badger said. “Along the road we’d find tumble-down houses that were from the 1930s or 1800s. The entrance to the kangaroo exhibit is a tumble-down house.

These features were largely manufactured for this purpose, Badger said. The cost of importing actual structures from Australia was prohibitive. The water tank came from a rural part of San Diego County. It was donated by one of the zoo’s trustees, Judith Wheatley.

In the grassland area, the barriers between people and animals come down. A pathway leads visitors through a lush, green landscape where Western gray kangaroos and red-necked wallabies graze.

It’s the animal’s choice whether to interact. Visitors are asked to remain on the walkway and be quietly observant.

The kangaroos and wallabies are curious about the humans among their midst, Badger said. Keepers have been slowly acclimating the animals to the proximity of people.

“If (visitors are) nice and quiet, the kangaroos may even come up to them, and then you could maybe extend a hand and let them sniff it,” Badger said.

Even amid the din of final construction last week, the animals freely ventured outside, pausing to look at a Union-Tribune photographer and reporter before resuming their browsing.

The cassowaries, giant prehistoric-looking territorial birds, aren’t so approachable. They’re kept in their own enclosures, easily visible but not accessible to visitors.

Like the tree kangaroos, the cassowaries will be allowed to mate as part of a species survival plan.

Guests may also meet “animal ambassadors” taken around by keepers to educate people about the species. These include prickly primitive mammals called echidnas that hatch from eggs; and stubby-legged, muscular wombats. Like the kangaroos and wallabies, wombats are pouched marsupials.

Not only the animals, but the plants are also picked for education. The vegetation in Walkabout Australia includes drought-resistant plants, said John Horne, curator of horticulture at the Safari Park. That’s something Southern California residents might benefit from.

“One huge part of what we’re doing here is trying to teach people about the efforts of water conservation,” Horne said.

“Australia is in a drought. We’re in a drought. We have similar climates. The plants that we’ve selected for this exhibit will do well in homeowners’ yards.”

For those who want to get an even more intimate look, Walkabout Australia offers “Roos & Mates,” a 90-minute safari-style tour led by a guide who will explain the new habitat.

Visitors will be able to explore behind the scenes with keepers, and meet the animal ambassadors, and learn how to help their wild counterparts.

For the price and dates of “Roos & Mates,” and other “Behind the Scenes” attractions, call reservations at 619-718-3000 or book online at sdzsafaripark.org .

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San Diego Zoo Safari Park welcomes okapi calf to the herd

The as-yet-unnamed calf will be able to be viewed by safari park visitors daily starting in april in the safari park's african woods area, by eric s. page • published april 8, 2024 • updated on april 9, 2024 at 4:25 pm.

The number of okapis at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park increased by one recently with the birth of a male calf of the unique species nicknamed the "forest giraffe," it was announced Monday.

The as-yet-unnamed calf, which was born on Feb. 18, will be able to be viewed by safari park visitors daily starting in April in the safari park's African Woods area.

The calf was the first born to Mahameli (“Meli,” mother) and Mpangi (Mm-pong-ee, father). Zookeepers say the young buck nurses several times a day and "likes to run circles around his mom and even playfully kick her once in a while," the safari park said in a news release sent out on Monday. "He also started taste-testing the [vegetation in his habitat], following Meli’s lead."

The safari park and zoo now share a total of eight okapi between them: There are four males (Nanoki, Mpangi, Upepo and the calf) and one female (Mahameli) up at the safari park, while the zoo has Zuri & Toby, both males, and a single female (Subira). 

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A reclusive species rarely seen in the wild, Okapi are native to central Africa and were discovered by Europeans in 1901. Although often confused with a zebra due to the black and white striped patterns on its front and hind legs, the okapi is actually the closest living relative to the giraffe.

Various causes, including habitat destructing and hunting, threaten the wild okapi in its native Central Africa, but, fortunately, "one-fifth of the okapi habitat within Africa’s Ituri Forest was designated as a wildlife reserve [in 1992,]" the news release also stated. "And since okapis are an 'umbrella species,' by aiding in their conservation, we also contribute to the protection of other wildlife that coexist in their African habitat."

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San Diego Zoo Safari Park Welcomes 250th California Condor Chick, a Significant Milestone for the Critically Endangered Species

Chick’s Father Is Xol-Xol, One of the Last 22 California Condors Alive in 1982 and the First Brought Into Human Care as Part of the Recovery Program

SAN DIEGO (April 11, 2024) – San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance has welcomed the 250th California condor to hatch at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. The chick’s parents are Xol-Xol (pronounced “hole-hole”)—the first California condor brought into human care under the California Condor Recovery Program in 1982—and Mexwe (pronounced “mex-weh”). More than 40 years since the California condor population dropped to a low of just 22 birds, this milestone is a significant success.

Before hatching, the egg was placed in an incubator to be closely monitored by wildlife care team. Due to a suspected malposition, the egg was taken to Paul Harter Veterinary Medical Center for computed tomography (CT) imaging. After examining the results, the chick’s position was determined to not be of concern. The chick successfully pipped and was returned to Xol-Xol and Mexwe for hatching. The pair’s nest is equipped with infrared cameras, allowing the team to monitor the hatching process around the clock. The chick, whose sex is not yet determined, hatched in the early morning hours of March 16 with the assistance of its very attentive parents and is doing well under their care. It was given the name Emaay (pronounced “eh-my”), a Kumeyaay word for “sky.” Xol-Xol’s name means “one of the sky people” in Chumash.

“Reaching this milestone feels incredible,” said Nora Willis, senior wildlife care specialist, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. “Seeing the success that the San Diego Zoo Safari Park has had—and the success of the California Condor Recovery Program as a whole—is really inspiring. There’s still a long way to go but being part of this and helping the species recover is life changing.”

Xol-Xol, one of the last 22 condors remaining in 1982, was rescued from the Sespe Condor Sanctuary at three months old after being neglected by his parents, who were still rearing a chick from the previous year. He made his home at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park as the first California condor brought into human care under the California Condor Recovery Program. Xol-Xol has fathered 41 chicks since 1993, and many of those chicks have been reintroduced into their native habitat. Emaay is expected to join the native population in 2025.  

In 1982, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance was given permission to begin the first zoological propagation program for California condors. The program included the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the National Audubon Society, and the Los Angeles Zoo, among others. As a result of the innovative techniques developed by San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and many partners, the resurgence of the California condor is a conservation success story. Today there are more than 560 living California condors, with over half free flying. The California condor is listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as Critically Endangered, with populations increasing. Major threats to their survival include lead poisoning, habitat loss and emerging diseases.

At least 50 California condors now join the population annually, and 12 to 15 chicks hatch in their native habitat every year. Condors hatched in human care are introduced across five reintroduction sites in the United States: one in northern Arizona at the Vermillion Cliffs and four in California, including Ventana Wilderness in Big Sur, Pinnacles National Monument, Yurok Ancestral Territory and Redwood National Park, and the Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge in the Los Padres National Forest. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and its partners in Mexico—Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas, Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales, Instituto Nacional de Ecología y Cambio Climático and Espacios Naturales y Desarrollo Sustentable A.C.—have been managing a long-term program to restore California condors at a sixth site in the Sierra de San Pedro Mártir National Park in northern Baja California, Mexico, where condors lived until the mid-1950s.

About San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, a nonprofit conservation leader, inspires passion for nature and collaboration for a healthier world. The Alliance supports innovative conservation science through global partnerships. Through wildlife care, science expertise and collaboration, more than 44 endangered species have been reintroduced to native habitats. Annually, the Alliance reaches over 1 billion people, in person at the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and virtually in 150 countries through media channels, including San Diego Zoo Wildlife Explorers television programming in children’s hospitals in 14 countries. Wildlife Allies—members, donors and guests—make success possible.

Link includes:

• B-roll of parents Xol-Xol and Mexwe tending to their chick Emaay
• B-roll of wildlife care specialists examining the egg before it hatched
• Photos and video from the CT scan of the California condor egg
• Video interview with wildlife care specialist at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park
• Press release in English and Spanish
• San Diego Zoo Tickets
• Safari Park Tickets