A Western grey kangaroo joey emerges into the sunshine at Paignton Zoo Environmental Park in Devon.
This rather ungainly exit from its mother’s pouch was probably the youngster’s first attempt. Born in May or June last year, it’s been developing in its mother’s pouch for months. Paignton Zoo Curator of Mammals Neil Bemment said: “It’s been peeking out for a while, but the weather was just too chilly and wet for it to want to come out completely…..and who can blame it!”
Photographer and regular Paignton Zoo visitor Miriam Haas, who took the photos, said: “It spent a good 10 minutes or more enjoying the sunshine before returning to the safety of the pouch.”
The joey first emerges from the pouch at about six months, spending increasing amounts of time in the outside world until, after around eight months, it leaves the pouch for the last time. Paignton Zoo Environmental Park is a registered charity. For more information go towww.paigntonzoo.org.uk or ring 01803 697500.
