Australian Reptile Park launches new encounter to raise awareness of endangered tree kangaroo

The Australian Reptile Park has launched their newest encounter, a rare, up-close and personal experience with an endangered species – Goodfellow tree kangaroos. The pair, named Kimbe and Banjo are housed in their new enclosure that opened in late 2019 and are now settled and ready to meet visitors.

Staff are hoping that the up-close experience with the endangered species will hopefully raise awareness about the Goodfellow’s tree kangaroo by introducing visitors to the rare species while educating people about the serious threat of deforestation.

An encounter with Kimbe and Banjo will be hands on and bring guests closer than ever before to the endangered species. During the encounter visitors will be handed some of Banjo and Kimbe’s favourite treats such as avocado, banana, grapes and cucumber to hand feed one of the Australian Reptile Park’s most special animals. The visitors are also encouraged to take as many photos as they like to be able to keep their memories of the incredible experience forever.

The Australian Reptile Park General Manager, Tim Faulkner advises “Sadly, Goodfellow’s tree kangaroos are endangered and need all of the help they can get. I hope that by doing these encounters and creating special memories with Kimbe and Banjo we are able to educate our visitors into doing what they can to help save the species.

“I personally went looking for Goodfellow’s tree-kangaroos when I was in Papua New Guinea and couldn’t find one, they’re quite rare to see out and about. This makes it even more special to know that you will have the opportunity to experience something some people could only dream of.”

There are 12 species of tree-kangaroo in the world with many of the species under threat due to hunting and habitat destruction. Goodfellow’s tree-kangaroos are native to the rainforests of Papua New Guinea, and the border of central Irian Jaya in Indonesia.

In January 2019, the Australian Reptile Park welcomed their first tree-kangaroo, Banjo, with intentions on adding a female in future to begin an all new conservation breeding program – a first for the Park. Since Banjo’s arrival, and Kimbe’s shortly after in April, Keepers have enjoyed working alongside the endangered species. With prospects looking good, staff are keeping their fingers crossed for a joey in the near future.

Tree kangaroo encounters will commence on Saturday 26th September and occur at 12:00pm daily. For more information visitors can book an encounter at: reptilepark.com.au/experiences/animal-encounters/

To purchase tickets and for more information, visit www.reptilepark.com.au

Images courtesy of The Australian Reptile Park