Goodfellow’s tree kangaroo

Goodfellow’s tree kangaroos are unique macropods (a group of animals which include kangaroos and wallabies) that are native to Papua New Guinea and have adapted to life in the trees.

Kangaroos that live on the ground have enormous back legs and move by hopping. Unlike their close kangaroo cousins, the tree kangaroo's arms and legs are approximately the same length. Tree kangaroos also have much stronger fore-limbs to help in climbing the trees they inhabit.

Tree kangaroos can bound as far as nine metres to a neighbouring tree and can leap down to the group from as high as 18 metres. The average body length of a Goodfellow’s tree kangaroo can be up to 77 centimetres, with a tail 85 centimetres long. It can weigh up to 7.5 kilograms.

Belfast Zoo was the first zoo in the UK and Ireland to breed the Goodfellow’s tree kangaroo. We are currently home to a breeding pair called Jaya and Hasu-Hasu. In June 2016, we welcomed a joey, named Kau Kau. 

Kau Kau hopped out of mum Jaya’s pouch to greet visitors for the first time in Easter 2017 and then in December 2017, Kayjo, who was born in June 2017, was spotted appearing from Jaya's pouch.

IUCN Status

The IUCN status of the goodfellow’s tree kangaroo is endangered.

For more info on classifications visit www.iucnredlist.org (link opens in new window).