Meet "Foster," the Parma Wallaby
at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
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| An early picture of Foster |
Foster with Veterinary Technician,
Sheena Koeth |
The veterinary care staff at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is successfully hand-raising a Parma wallaby joey whose mother wasn't able to care for him. The joey is developing at a steady pace, weighing just about a pound and standing less than half a foot tall. Below are some interesting facts about him:
- Born April 15, 2007.
- At 8 months old, he weighs two pounds and stands less than a foot tall.
- Veterinary Technicians at the Zoo became his "foster" parents on October 14, 2007, after his mother became unable to care for him.
- His caretakers appropriately named the little marsupial "Foster."
- Foster received 24-hour care from the veterinary care staff, going home with them the first few weeks they were together.
 His daily feedings include a special formula imported from Australia.- He sleeps in a furry papoose meant to resemble his mother's pouch.
- Foster currently lives in an 80-degree room in the intensive-care unit at the Zoo's Center for Zoological Medicine.
- Veterinary care staff expects to fully wean Foster in the coming weeks.
- In early 2008, Foster will be turned over to the Zoo's Conservation Education staff, which will feature him in its live animal shows.
- As part of the Zoo's educational programming, Foster will serve as an ambassador to the public for his counterparts in the wild.
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