NORTH WHITEHALL, Pa. — Lehigh Valley Zoo's beloved kangaroo Hopscotch has bounded off into the proverbial desert sunset.
The zoo confirmed that the popular born-in-captivity marsupial passed away last week.
According to a statement from the zoo, Animal Care staff had noticed Hopscotch’s behavior had changed, and she was not eating as expected.
Further examination found she had an infection that had started in her tongue before progressing into and spreading in her digestive tract.
Despite efforts from the staff, Hopscotch died during the examination, the zoo said.
“She was one of the more outgoing animals. She was born and raised here, so she was used to being in this area, in that actual habitat, as well as with the actual staff members. She got familiar with them.”Lehigh Valley Zoo General Curator Sara Koplish
According to a release from the zoo, as prey animals, kangaroos are very good at hiding illnesses until they are far along.
Zoo General Curator Sara Koplish said kangaroos live up to 20 years on average.
Hopscotch was born at Lehigh Valley Zoo in June 2019, and spent her whole life there, becoming one of the more sociable kangaroos.
Typically wary of humans, kangaroos tend to keep their distance. Keepers continuously worked with Hopscotch to be able to feed her treats and get close to her.
She often was seen by staff and visitors enjoying a sunbath with her mob, which include a male and three other females, all of whom still reside at the zoo.
“She was one of the more outgoing animals," Koplish said.
"She was born and raised here, so she was used to being in this area, in that actual habitat, as well as with the actual staff members. She got familiar with them.”
Identified by a red ear tag
Koplish said Hopscotch often would approach staff for food — a somewhat unusual trait for kangaroos.
At the zoo, it might have been a bit difficult to pick Hopscotch apart from her fellow females — that isn’t unusual, Koplish said. She could be identified by a red tag on her ear.
“Hopscotch will be missed by all Lehigh Valley Zoo staff and guests, especially by those who had the privilege of watching her grow up here at the zoo."Lehigh Valley Zoo statement
“Hopscotch will be missed by all Lehigh Valley Zoo staff and guests, especially by those who had the privilege of watching her grow up here at the zoo,” a statement from the zoo reads.
Thousands of fans have reacted to a Facebook post about Hopscotch, with hundreds sharing their condolences.
According to World Animal Protection, kangaroos are the largest of all marsupials, and can jump up to 30 feet in a single bound.
At birth, they are just 1 inch — about the size of a grape. Joeys tend to leave their mothers’ pouches at about 10 months.
Kangaroos are herbivorous, primarily consuming trees, grasses and shrubs.
