In fact, zoo experts speaking to our news partner WCPO-TV said that none of the zoo’s male wallabies can mate at all.
In posts to social media, the zoo explained that in addition to carrying Pocket in her pouch when she arrived in Cincinnati, Ava was carrying a fertilized embryo. Wallabies and some other mammals can put their pregnancies on pause until it is a good time to give birth, a process called embryonic diapause.
Once Pocket was out of the pouch and more independent, the other embryo started to develop and made its way into mom’s pouch. It has just opened its eyes and will probably grow hair soon. It will then be ready to hop out and meet its brother! 🦘 pic.twitter.com/GsCWR3HNNF
— Cincinnati Zoo (@CincinnatiZoo) March 18, 2021
So, once Pocket left Ava’s pouch and was more independent, the embryo continued to develop and made its way to the pouch.
Experts told WCPO that this process means that some wallabies can be perpetually pregnant.
Zoo volunteers said that they noticed Ava’s pouch moving shortly before Christmas last year, WCPO reported.
The zoo said on social media that the baby wallaby has just opened its eyes, and will start to grow hair soon, before eventually hopping out of the pouch, too.
Pocket’s mom Ava has a joey in her pouch, but she has not bred since Pocket emerged from her pouch last year! You can see the developing joey wiggling around in this latest video provided by the wallaby care team. But, how did it get here? pic.twitter.com/65TLEbB64b
— Cincinnati Zoo (@CincinnatiZoo) March 18, 2021
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