National News

Elderly zoo kangaroo has joey

A 12-year-old red kangaroo named Butii, which would be about 100 years old in human terms, gave birth in April at the Tobe Zoological Park of Ehime Prefecture. Experts say red kangaroos usually live eight to 10 years on average, so it is highly unusual for one to give birth at such an advanced age. The joey showed its face in May. Zookeeper Yosuke Yamasaki noticed in April that something was moving in Butii's pouch. In addition to her age, Butii is blind, having suffered from cataracts since 2002. (Kyodo News)

Shukan ST: July 30, 2010

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