Orphaned albino wallaby needs a name

Keepers at Seaview Wildlife Encounter want name suggestions for the six-month-old joey, whose mum Sheila has died

by: Claire Burke
15 July 2009

THIS fluffy little baby albino wallaby is being looked after by keepers after his mum Sheila died earlier this month.

Since the death of his 20-year-old mother on 4 July, the joey has been fed by a syringe by staff at Seaview Wildlife Encounter in the Isle of Wight.

Despite his recent tragedy, the young wallaby is doing well and is thriving on extra cuddles from the keepers.

Up to eight carers are taking it in turns to look after the orphaned six-month old.

During the day he hops around with the other joeys in the wallaby group, enjoying the summer sunshine and grazing on grass.

And at night he sleeps in a backpack lined with a fleece to recreate his mum’s cosy pouch.

The joey, one of only two albino wallabies at the centre, will be reintroduced to the pack in a few short weeks and is already a hit with the park's visitors.

The animal hasn't been named yet, and staff are inviting members of the public to put forward some ideas.

http://www.thelondonpaper.com/thelondonpaper/weird/odd-news/orphaned-little-albino-wallaby-looked-after-by-keepers