White Bennett's kangaroo born at Hoyerswerda Zoo

A white Bennett's kangaroo has been born at Hoyerswerda Zoo. The one-and-a-half-year-old mother, named Schneeflöckchen, is also an albino. As the zoo announced on Wednesday, the birth took place around eight months ago. "It has only been apparent since around the beginning of January that Flöckchen's cub also has white fur," said zookeeper Ronny Häusler on Wednesday. Until then, the offspring had occasionally poked its head out of the pouch, but it was still naked and pink. Even now, the cub is still quite sleepy and enjoying its time in its mother's pouch. "Not much longer and the cub will be too big for the pouch. Then we can also see what sex the offspring is."

According to the zoo administration, Schneeflöckchen came to the Lusatian Lakeland from Tabor Zoo in the Czech Republic in May 2023. She integrated quickly and well into the group and got used to living with emu lady Hilde. With the young animal, there are now seven kangaroos living in the accessible enclosure at Hoyerswerda Zoo. Nothing is known about the kangaroo's father. It is therefore also unclear whether he is also an albino or whether the mother's genes have proved to be dominant. Schneeflöckchen probably came to Hoyerswerda when she was already pregnant. Kangaroos can delay the birth of their offspring if living conditions are not suitable, it is said.

Bennett's kangaroos - also known as red-necked wallabies - originate from south-eastern Australia and Tasmania. They owe their name to the reddish-colored fur on their neck and shoulders. Albinism is a rare phenomenon in the animal kingdom. The affected animals lack color pigments. Because of their conspicuous appearance, they are often the target of potential predators. According to the Hoyerswerda Zoo, there is a large population of white Bennett's kangaroos on Bruny Island in southern Tasmania. Their number is estimated at around 200. The kangaroos there have no predators and can pass on the mutation from generation to generation.