The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo welcomed a rare and endangered tree kangaroo to the zoo family Tuesday night.
Som, a 3-year-old female Matschie's tree kangaroo, arrived at the zoo after traveling from another organization accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquarium Tuesday, according to a release from the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.
"We're told she's very curious and that she loves kale and steamed sweet potato, which we’ll happily provide," said Amber Callen-Ward, lead animal keeper in Australia Walkabout at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.
Som's arrival comes one week after the zoo's male tree kangaroo, Tristan, embarked on his journey to the Denver Zoo as part of a breeding recommendation.
According to the release, around 2,500 Matschie's tree kangaroos remain in the wild in their only known habitat of Huon Peninsula of northeastern Papua New Guinea. The marsupial arboreal species is considered endangered by the International Union for the Conservancy of Nature due to the threats of logging and mining exploration, the release said.
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo visitors can now see Som at the Australia Walkabout.
Your Privacy Choices