Sydney Zoo Welcomes Quokkas Times Two

What is cuter than a quokka? A baby quokka, make that two baby quokkas.

Sydney Zoo is debuting a pair quokka joeys. Recently emerged from the pouch, the joeys - a female named Quaver and a younger male named Quill - are showing their distinct personalities.

Quaver, the older of the two, is known for her calm and confident nature, participating in encounters and showing curiosity towards her surroundings. Quill has only just begun venturing out of the pouch and is still gaining confidence as he adjusts to life outside.

Quokka joeys typically spend around four to five months in the pouch before gradually emerging, building strength and coordination before becoming fully independent at around six months. This makes the current window a special time for visitors to witness these tiny marsupials as they take their first steps into the world.

Quokka joeys in the wild can face an uncertain early life, when the mother has a joey in her pouch and is pursued by a predator, she may drop her baby onto the ground; the joey produces noises which attracts the predator's attention and the mother escapes.

“Quaver and Quill are settling in very well at Sydney Zoo. They are following the lead of their mums and coming up to their keepers for food and interactions, often voluntarily participating in our Quokka Encounters,” says Kelly Davis, Natives Animal Care Manager at Sydney Zoo.

“Our quokkas play a crucial role in connecting visitors with nature and providing educational opportunities to highlight the plight of many Australian native species. Our new joeys help capture hearts and act as ambassadors for their wild counterparts.”

While quokkas are most famously found on Rottnest Island in Western Australia, where they are known for their friendly appearance and photogenic smiles, they remain wild animals and play an important role in Australia’s ecosystem.

Visitors may be lucky enough to spot Quaver and Quill as they begin to explore their habitat, with sightings becoming more frequent as they spend more time out of the pouch. For an up-close experience, Quokka Encounters offer the chance to meet the quokkas, with the joeys often voluntarily participating.