Breaking zoos: Perth Zoo is having a baby boom!

Pardon the pun, but with news this wholesome we just can’t help ourselves: Perth Zoo is in the midst of an adorable baby boom!

The latest addition to the Perth Zoo family are two teeny-tiny baby Bolivian Squirrel Monkeys, born last month within the Amazonia habitat to mums Sue and Vivo.

Although they were born last month, they’ve just started exploring their habitat from the safety of their mum’s backs.

“Sue and Vivo are both doing really well and have taken to motherhood quickly – we’re very proud of them!” said Perth Zoo Primate Keeper, Mel Mirville.

“We’ve been able to watch the babies hit their early milestones like suckling, and holding on tight to their mums.”

“It’s going to be a really special time for the monkeys because social groups of Squirrel Monkeys share the care of the young, and we’re already seeing the aunty behaviour from other females.”

These two adorable bubs aren’t the only recent additions to the zoo, though…

Goodfellow’s Tree Kangaroos Kaluli and Huli welcomed their baby last spring – however because she was only the size of a jellybean, she’s only just grown big enough to start peeking out from mum Kaluli’s pouch!

The as-yet-unnamed joey is the fifth born at Perth Zoo, and the zoo’s first ever female joey – her birth marks a huge milestone for the conservation of the endangered Goodfellow’s Tree Kangaroos, native to Papua New Guinea.

“She still has quite a bit of growing left to do in mum’s pouch,” explained Perth Zoo Australian Fauna Keeper, Holly Lewin.

“But over the next few weeks, lucky visitors may be able to catch a glimpse of her face or even a foot poking out.”

“We can’t wait to share more about her journey with the community as she continues to grow up!”

“The birth of this joey is another example of how the work of good zoos, like Perth Zoo, can make a real tangible difference to wildlife and wild places,” she continued.

“We hope by watching this beautiful joey grow, the community will develop an appreciation for Goodfellow’s Tree Kangaroos and are inspired to help us with conservation for her cousins in the wild.”

And as if that wasn’t enough cuteness to overload even the toughest amongst you… Five orphaned Tammar Wallaby joeys have also found their new home at the zoo!

Found on Garden Island at the start of the year, the joeys have been raised by wildlife carers before coming to live in Perth Zoo’s behind-the-scenes “wallaby creche”.

“It’s been really rewarding for us to care for these orphaned joeys and watch them grow into healthy young wallabies,” said Perth Zoo Senior Keeper Steve Catwell.

“They’ve still got a bit more growing to do, but in the coming months we expect to move them out into the Australian Bushwalk to live with our other wallabies and kangaroos.”

Image credits: Perth Zoo