Red necked wallaby with joey
For those of you that watched joey getting in and out of the pouch last month, joey is now older and more active out of the pouch. She still spends a lot of time though back in the safety of mums pouch.
Watching a wallaby and her joey relaxing and interacting is something rarely seen, due to these animal being very shy and protective of their young. When ever humans are around the wallaby will keep her joey securely within the pouch, the head may be showing, but she will not allow the joey out of the pouch as she may have to move quickly in case of danger. Only if she feels secure in her surroundings will she let the joey come out to explore.
Joey's are inquisitive, and love to come out of the pouch, but will rarely move away from mum till older, and able to follow her at great speed should she need to move away from the area. As carers we get joey's in to care that have been found alone, no mum in sight, often this is due to the joey having been out of the pouch at the time of the perceived danger that mum has run away from, or been chased away.
As you will see in the video here, there is a special bond between Mum and joey.
Click here for video clip
