Video of joey’s first steps goes viral

Jumping Jack the kangaroo joey with Mum Joy Photo: Australian Reptile Park

A video of one of the Australian Reptile Park’s newest arrivals has gone viral, attracting more than 250,000 views in two days.

The first hops of Jumping Jack the eastern grey kangaroo joey were caught on camera and posted on September 20.

The small joey is already gaining confidence as he wobbles about the Park.

He is sticking closely by Mum Joy’s side but will begin to adventure further away as he gets older.

Park Director, Tim Faulkner, said keepers had seen a few joeys pop their heads out from their mothers’ pouches in recent weeks.

“It’s always so exciting when they take the great big leap from Mum’s pouch.

“Is there anything cuter than the first wobbly hops of ‘roo joey?” he said.

Jumping Jack is a part of the Australian Reptile Park’s eastern grey kangaroo family which visitors will be able to interact with and hand-feed when the park is open following COVID-19 restrictions.

In early July, the Australian Reptile Park introduced its Pay Discover Forward program where NSW residents can “pay it forward’ with their Discover NSW Vouchers and the park will donate a double pass to charity on their behalf.

Details on the park’s website.

Verified source: Media release, Sep 22, 2021 Australian Reptile Park