Aussie Ark Welcomes Rare Potoroo Joey

A Tiny Joey Bringing Hope for a Threatened Species

Dandarah, one of Aussie Ark’s hand-raised Long-Nosed Potoroos, has welcomed her second joey, with the tiny newcomer confirmed to be a healthy female named Lychee following her first health check.

The joey’s arrival marks another important milestone for Aussie Ark’s Long-Nosed Potoroo breeding program, which has been working to help secure the future of the threatened species for the past seven years.

Dandarah, who was originally rescued and raised by the Aussie Ark team, has become a favourite amongst wildlife rangers caring for the species. Last winter, she was introduced to fellow Long-Nosed Potoroo Lachie, with the pair quickly bonding in their habitat.

By spring, the team suspected Dandarah may be carrying a joey after noticing a small bulge in her pouch. Aussie Ark Wildlife Ranger Laura Chapman closely monitored the family from a distance, documenting key moments while ensuring minimal disturbance.

After observing Dandarah licking her pouch, a strong sign there was a joey inside, the team installed remote-sensor cameras throughout the habitat to monitor the family more closely.

The cameras soon captured the first glimpse of the joey, a tiny nose emerging from the pouch. Additional footage recorded inside the family’s sleeping log later showed the joey beginning to explore its surroundings for the very first time.

Once the joey was considered strong enough, the team carried out its first health assessment, confirming the joey was female and in excellent condition.

“It’s so exciting to announce Dandarah has a daughter, and we’ve named her Lychee,” Laura said. “Lychee is in perfect health, and Dandarah and Lachie are brilliant parents. This is the first time I’ve interacted with a baby Potoroo, so it’s incredibly special.”

Aussie Ark has been breeding and rewilding Long-Nosed Potoroos as part of its broader conservation efforts to help protect the species from extinction.

In the wild, Long-Nosed Potoroos face ongoing threats from habitat loss and feral predators. The species also plays an important ecological role, helping aerate and maintain healthy soil while foraging across the forest floor.

With valuable wild genetics, Lychee will one day become an important future member of the breeding program, helping support the long-term future of the species.