Alipore zoo gets a baby kangaroo

Kolkata: In October 2017, when four kangaroos were introduced at the Alipore Zoological Gardens from Kanazawa Zoo of Japan, officials at the Alipore facility had not thought that the marsupials would start breeding in less than a year.

A baby kangaroo emerged from its mother's pouch on Saturday and its appearance prompted the authorities to announce that the number of eastern grey kangaroos in the zoo had now increased to five.

"We are yet to ascertain whether the baby is male or female. We are very happy that baby came out of the pouch and tried to eat some grass," Asis Kumar Samanta, director of Alipore Zoological Garden said.

Between 2015 and 2017 for almost two years, there were no kangaroos at the zoological garden. Four red kangaroos had been brought earlier from the Czech Republic but none of them survived. "Punca, the mother, is doing well. We think the baby can adapt to the environment," Samanta said. Over the past few years, the zoo has witnessed births of zebras, giraffes and marsh crocodiles.

An Asiatic lion was also born a few days ago but authorities are keeping a watch and have not brought it into public view yet.