Rejected kangaroo baby gets human "mother" in SP
A story that started out sad had a happy ending: a baby red kangaroo was rejected by its mother at Animália Park, in Cotia, Greater São Paulo, but ended up adopted by a new mother, but this time, a human one.
Biologist Thais Amaral, in conversation with CNN Brasil, said that the park's 24-hour monitoring identified that the five-month-old cub, named Eevee, was expelled from its mother's pouch during the night, at the end of April. Veterinarians rushed in and tried to reintroduce her several times, but the rejection remained.
For this reason, human care was introduced, according to park protocol. Thais, who is the coordinator of the birds and chicks sector at Animália Park, explained the reason that may have led the mother to reject her daughter.
"Refusal is not uncommon, it is actually quite common, especially in first-time mothers, which was the case. Due to the lack of experience, she ends up rejecting this puppy", he said.
After the emergency rescue, Eeeve had what experts call the "3 Hs" evaluated: hydration, hypoglycemia and hypothermia. With a precarious condition, Thaís took on the uninterrupted care of the kangaroo and has been caring for it for around 40 days.
In need of creating a parental bond, Eevee started to stay with the biologist 24 hours a day, going to her home and receiving her constant support. She says that today she drinks a specific milk every five hours, is monitored by veterinarians and is already much better.
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"In the puppy department it is necessary to have low turnover precisely to create a bond. A standardized series of activities is necessary and it is better for the puppy that it is in a unified way. All this to get as close as possible to natural life." Thais said that, for example, she provided a felt bag, a fabric similar to kangaroo fur, to carry the baby as if she were still in the baby carrier.
The ultimate goal is for her to be reintegrated into the group. Today it already meets the entire growth curve, improving in all aspects of health. Eevee goes through a phase of exploring the environment, in which, as if she were with her kangaroo mother, she goes out for about 20 minutes a day to sunbathe - always accompanied by Thais or a caregiver.
According to the expert, there is already a mother-daughter relationship. "She already sees me as a motherly figure. It's important that I'm around to provide that security. She's a super charismatic, affectionate and much-loved animal."
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In addition to milk, Eevee began to be introduced to carrot juice and, in the future, solid foods. The puppy, like a baby, requires constant care.
"She is very intelligent and already understands what her name is called. We are now looking forward to her reinstatement", added Thais.
The specialist also clarified that the primary objective in rescuing rejected animals is the attempt to reintroduce them to their mother. "Under no circumstances do we remove the animal unnecessarily, we make several attempts and, when we see that it will not be supported, the puppy department comes in to provide initial care."
Source: CNN