2 Baby Wallabies Becomes 1st Marsupials In Aurora Zoo History

AURORA, IL — Two baby wallabies recently joined the inhabitants of Phillips Park Zoo, becoming the first marsupials to join the zoo in its recorded history, Aurora officials said.

Wally and Bindi, two mated Bennett's wallabies, were retrieved Aug. 5 from Santa's Reindeer Ranch, a facility licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture. The animals are just over a year old.

Also known as red-necked wallabies, Bennett's wallabies are natively found in the forest and coastal shrublands of Australia and Tasmania. As adults, they weigh between 25 and 60 pounds and are herbivorous, eating grass, herbs and roots in their native range. They can also jump up to five feet in the air.

At Phillips Park Zoo, the wallabies can be found between Tito the Lynx and the zoo's barnyard.

As Wally and Bindi get accustomed to their new home, they will have the choice to be visible to visitors or off exhibit in a dedicated indoor space. As they continue to settle in, they will be increasingly more visible to the public, the city said in a news release.

The zoo, at 1000 Ray Moses Drive, is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Tuesday.