Cologne, August 20, 2026. For the first time, the Cologne Zoo is showcasing new arrivals among the New Guinea wallabies, a smaller species of kangaroo native to Papua New Guinea. The lively joey, whose sex has not yet been determined, has been regularly leaving its mother’s pouch for about a week to curiously explore the enclosure.

The 4-year-old father, “Gerry,” and the 3-year-old mother, “Gisela,” are keeping a close watch. They are both from the Czech Republic. Together with their young and other kangaroo species, they live in a new, walk-through enclosure at the Dragon House, which the zoo opened last week as a new attraction. Visitors can stroll leisurely through the kangaroo area, passing by the marsupials and getting up close to the animals while maintaining the necessary respect.

Sturdy little kangaroos, bustling pygmy otters – zoos are committed to conservation

Southern New Guinea wallabies are among the smaller kangaroos. They have a stocky build. As with most kangaroos, their hind legs are significantly longer than their front legs, and their tail is relatively short and sparsely haired. Their fur is dark gray-brown in color, with a significantly lighter underside. These animals primarily inhabit rainforests and mixed rainforest-savanna areas. As strict herbivores, they feed mainly on grasses and leaves. 

The Southern New Guinea Filander is hunted with dogs for its meat. This has led to the disappearance of the animals from southeastern New Guinea, and populations are also declining elsewhere. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) therefore lists the species as “vulnerable.” Zoos are working to protect them through conservation breeding programs, among other efforts. 

Welcome totheDragon House – surrounded by the exotic animals of Southeast Asia

The Dragon House, home to the filanders, is also home to many other Southeast Asian animals in addition to kangaroos: These include Komodo dragons, birds of paradise, tiger pythons, pygmy otters, archerfish, hornbills, and exotic ducks – nowhere else in the Rhineland can you get closer to Southeast Asia. The Komodo dragon enclosure at the Cologne Zoo is one of the largest of its kind in the world and the only one in North Rhine-Westphalia. It has quickly become one of the Cologne Zoo’s biggest attractions,

The Cologne Zoo: Passionate About Animals. Book online starting at 22.50 euros. www.koelnerzoo.de

Photos: Marcel Vogelfänger

Further information:

Christoph Schütt

0221 / 77 85 235

schuett@koelnerzoo.de