North Georgia zoo creates mock pouch to save baby kangaroo

CLEVELAND, Ga. - When Lillybet, a beloved kangaroo at the North Georgia Zoo & Farm, passed away, zookeepers had to think of a creative way to keep her baby alive.

Weighing just 500 grams, Lillypad was completely pink and furless with her tiny ears folded down. Still reliant on her mom for food and warmth, lead curator Melisa Burns and zoo director Hope Bennet had to figure out what to do.

They sprang into action, using household items — an ice chest, heat pads and mini humidifier—Burns and Bennett created an environment similar to Lilypad’s mother’s pouch.

They placed the baby kangaroo into the incubator and set up a two hour feeding schedule.

Now, zoo keepers say Lillypad is thriving. She weighs 2.5 pounds, is starting to show a little fuzz and her ears are standing tall.

Keep track of Lillypad’s progress by visiting the zoo’s website.