Wallabies 'settling in well' after zoo move

Six wallabies have settled in "remarkably well" after transferring to a zoo near Leeds, their keeper said.

The female mob arrived at Lotherton Wildlife World from Yorkshire Wildlife Park on 24 October.

Zoo manager Dan Messer said despite their jumping ability - they can jump up to 12ft (3.7m) horizontally - they would be kept secure with a 6ft (1.8m) fence and “anti-dig borders” in their enclosure.

He said: "Wallabies are one of the hardiest little animals out there."

He added: "They have a thick coat that keeps them warm.

“Despite what people think about them coming from Australia, they are mainly found in Tasmania and the south-east coast, which is more similar to the UK weather-wise.”

Wallabies are a type of marsupial from the same family as grey kangaroos.

The females have a pouch used to nurse their babies who are also referred to as joeys.

The joey will stay in its mum’s pouch until it is about six months old when it will come out of the pouch to hop around.

Lotherton Hall’s Wildlife World is home to many protected animals and supports international breeding and conservation programmes.

Other species include emus, cranes, critically endangered Visayan warty pigs and tapirs.

Mr Messer, who has been managing the zoo for 18 months, said his favourite animals at the site were the monkeys.

He said: "Visitors’ favourite animal is often the capybaras or the penguins.

“But I’m a primate guy.

"We’ve got cotton-top tamarins and my favourite animal is a gelada although we don’t have room for those on site."

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