Newquay Zoo welcomes world's smallest wallaby species

Credit: Newquay Zoo

Newquay Zoo has welcomed a group of new inhabitants in the shape of four Parma wallabies.

The animals are the smallest members of the kangaroo family and have come to Cornwall from Cotswold Wildlife Park in Burford, Oxfordshire.

Credit: Newquay Zoo

Native to South East Australia, the Parma wallabies weigh just 3-6 kilograms and have an average height of only 50cm - not much longer than a school ruler.

It was once believed the little animals were extinct until they were rediscovered in 1965. Now the species is classed as 'near threatened' due to habitat loss and hunting.

Though these four are new to Newquay, the Parma wallaby has been an inhabitant at the zoo before.

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