Friday, March 30, 2018

Oldest tree kangaroo In US, originally from PNG, dies At Roger Williams Park Zoo

by Talia Blake, ripr.org

The oldest Matschie’s tree kangaroo in the country, Paul (pictured), has passed away due to complications from heart issues at Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence.
Paul was 23 years, 5 months and 5 days old.


The zoo said the median life expectancy for this species in a zoo is about 13-14 years of age.
“It is a great testament to the love and care Paul received from his keepers, and veterinary staff that he lived such a long life,” said zoo executive director Dr Jeremy Goodman in a statement.
According to the zoo, Paul was born in October 1994 at the Metro Zoo in Miami, FL.  He then joined the Roger Williams Park Zoo family in 1997.
Goodman says there are only about 2,500 to 3,000 Matschie’s tree kangaroos in the wild population.
They are an endangered animal due to habitat loss from logging, oil and mineral mining and exploration.
The Matschie’s tree kangaroo is native to the Huon Peninsula of Papua New Guinea and the nearby island of Umboi.

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