Bigger exhibits help rainforest animals to breed

Perth Zoo's southern cassowaries and tree kangaroos can now be seen in their refurbished rainforest exhibits which provide a better opportunity to breed these endangered species.

  • New hopes for survival of tree kangaroo and southern cassowary

Perth Zoo's southern cassowaries and tree kangaroos can now be seen in their refurbished rainforest exhibits which provide a better opportunity to breed these endangered species.

Environment Minister Albert Jacob said Perth Zoo was part of a regional breeding program for the southern cassowary, a large flightless bird related to the emu.  The zoo also participates in global efforts to safeguard the Papua New Guinea Goodfellow's tree kangaroo.

"As part of our commitment to these species, we've expanded their rainforest homes, providing an opportunity to introduce new animals and potentially welcome offspring into the world,"

Mr Jacob said.

Perth Zoo is home to one male and two female southern cassowaries.  The new exhibit will allow zoo keepers to easily introduce these enormous birds during breeding season and separate them at other times of the year, emulating wild behaviours.

"It also gives zoo staff the opportunity to learn more about the breeding behaviours of these animals because so little is known about how or why they choose their mates." the Minister said.

For the endangered tree kangaroo, the additional space will allow Perth Zoo to welcome a male from Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary on the Gold Coast to breed with females Doba and Kaluli.

"If successful, this will be the first time Perth Zoo has bred these amazing animals since the 1980's," Mr Jacob said.

"With as few as 2,000 southern cassowaries remaining in Australia, and the wild population of tree kangaroos decreasing, the extensions to the exhibits enable the zoo to play a valuable role in saving wildlife."

Perth Zoo also supports the protection of these two species in the wild through support to Save the Cassowary campaign and the Tenkile Conservation Alliance.

 

      Fact File

  • There are fewer than 2,000 southern cassowaries left in the wet tropics of Australia

  • The tree kangaroo, native to Papua New Guinea, is endangered due to habitat loss and poaching

  • Perth Zoo participates in the global breeding program for Goodfellow's tree kangaroo

Minister's office - 6552 5800