MELBOURNE, Fla. – Hoppy birthday, Lilly!
The Brevard Zoo hosted a big birthday bash for its 1-year-old kangaroo after what zoo officials said was a trying year.
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Lilly was rescued as a frail, tiny kangaroo. Normally, baby red kangaroos remain in their mother's pouch for their first few months of life. Animal care staff discovered Lilly on the floor of the kangaroo habitat instead.
When efforts to reunite Lilly with her mother were unsuccessful, the staff decided to raise her themselves. At first, they were only cautiously optimistic about her survival, but after months of special care she was reunited with the kangaroos in her habitat.
"Lilly is a testament to the commitment we make to every single animal in our care," said Brevard Zoo's director of animal programs, Michelle Smurl.
To celebrate her big 1-year birthday, zoo officials made her a kangaroo-friendly cake filled with sweet potato, corn, lettuce and spinach.
"Getting her to where she is today took an incredible amount of work, but it was worth every minute," said Smurl.