RIP Paul: Roger Williams Park's 'Retired' Tree Kangaroo

CRANSTON, RI—A special kangaroo has died, the Roger Williams Park Zoo said Wednesday. Paul, the nation's oldest male Matschie tree kangaroo, was euthanized on Tuesday. The reason was quality of life, "due to complications from heart issues." He was 23 years old, plus five months and five days.

“Paul was a great ambassador for his species, bringing awareness to the fact that Matschie’s tree kangaroos are an endangered animal due to habitat loss from logging, oil and mineral mining and exploration," according to Dr. Jeremy Goodman, the zoo's executive director.

"The Matschie’s tree kangaroo is native to the Huon Peninsula of Papua New Guinea and the nearby island of Umboi," he said. "Unfortunately, there are only about 2500-3000 Matschie’s tree kangaroos in the wild population."

Paul was born in October 1994 at the Metro Zoo in Miami, and came to Roger Williams Park in 1997, the zoo said. He eventually "retired" and spent time with the keepers in his habitat, the zoo said.

To write a remembrance about Paul, click here.

Courtesy Photo: Roger Williams Park Zoo