Keepers at Taronga Western Plains Zoo are delighted by the emergence of a Quokka joey from its mother’s pouch recently. Keepers are yet to determine if the joey is a male or female but have named it ‘Yiray’ meaning sun in Wiradjuri language.

The joey is about seven months old and is the offspring of mother, Mocha and father, Russell. The joey has only just recently started to venture out of the pouch and is now spending most of its time exploring its new surroundings.

Mocha is doing a great job nurturing and raising her joey and has been keeping a close eye on her joey now it is out of the pouch.

Quokkas are classified as vulnerable with the population decreasing in the wild. They are found in small areas of south Western Australia and on Rottnest Island. Their numbers are in decline mainly due to the introduction of pest species such as foxes, pigs and feral cats.