WAHEPTON, ND (WCMH) – A North Dakota zookeeper has become a surrogate mom for an orphaned baby kangaroo.
The newborn’s name is Barkley, and her mother died unexpectedly several weeks ago. That’s when zookeeper Amanda Dukart got the call.
“At 3 o’clock, I got a call saying, ‘Come down and grab your baby.’ So that’s when I became a mom,” Dukart told WDAY-TV.
For the next six months, Dukart will keep the developing joey in a handmade flannel pouch and sling that was custom fitted by another staffer.
“Most of the development actually happens inside the pouch, whereas a lot of our development happens inside the womb,” Dukart said.
She’s also bonding with her baby kangaroo, just like a real mother. “Every day is something different. And she’s getting personality. It’s just really fun. It’s a really cool experience.”
With the death of her mother, Barkley has just a 1 in 4 chance of survival. At 10 months old, she will be able to leave the pouch and by 18 months, she should be able to join the other kangaroos.
“We’re really hoping she survives. So we’re trying our best and it’s a learning experience for us as well,” said Dukart.