The Detroit Zoo's 4-year-old wallaby, Sprocket, has given birth to her first joey. (Photo by Patti Truesdell | Detroit Zoological Society)

ROYAL OAK, MI - The Detroit Zoo’s missing 5-month old wallaby joey is believed to be dead and Zoo officials have suspended their search after “exhausting every resource at our disposal.”

The wallaby joey, which was likely snatched from above by an outside predator like an owl or hawk, was discovered missing on the morning of Mother’s Day on May 8.

“We have exhausted every resource at our disposal, spent dozens of hours reviewing all trail cam and security footage, and thoroughly searched the Zoo and surrounding areas,” Zoo officials wrote a short time ago on Facebook. “We are heartbroken that nothing has revealed to us the location of this wallaby. At this point, after so many days away from the mother, we do not believe this joey could still be alive.”

Sprocket, the Zoo’s 4-year old red-necked wallaby, is the joey’s mother. It’s her first joey. The Zoo did not know its sex yet as it had just started venturing out of its mother’s pouch. The Zoo’s Chief Life Sciences Officer told the Detroit News that they’ve never had an animal disappear like this before.

“The Detroit Zoo is a leader in animal welfare, widely known for spacious, naturalistic habitats that mimic what an animal might see in the wild,” it went on to say on Facebook. “However, when tragedies like this occur, we must review and revisit our policies and procedures to ensure we are doing everything possible to preserve the life and welfare of the animals in our care.”

This 2-acre Australian Outback Adventure is home to a total of 11 kangaroos and wallabies. There are three other wallabies at the habitat including Sprocket, Eloise and Bucky, a joey born to Eloise in 2020.

“All of us at the Detroit Zoo mourn the loss of this joey, but we take solace in knowing that the mother wallaby, 4-year-old Sprocket, appears to be healthy and doing well. Animal care staff continues to provide her, and every animal at the Zoo with the highest level of care. Thank you to everyone who followed the search for this joey and offered support. We are devastated this story did not have a happy ending.”

Horse kicks Albion College equestrian member in face: Recovery to take a year

It’s not every day a 665-foot cruise ship docks in Detroit: We went aboard

20 celebrities who will be hanging out in Michigan this weekend

Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission.

Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your California Privacy Rights (User Agreement updated 1/1/21. Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement updated 5/1/2021).

© 2022 Advance Local Media LLC. All rights reserved (About Us). The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local.

Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site.