Elvis the Wallaby: A Heartwarming Story from Cotswold Wildlife Park
Meet Elvis: Cotswold Wildlife Park’s First Hand-Reared Parma Wallaby Joey
“Without intervention, he wouldn’t have survived.”
Cotswold Wildlife Park has welcomed a very special arrival – Elvis, a Parma Wallaby joey, and the first of his species to be hand-reared at the Park. The joey was orphaned soon after birth following the sudden loss of his mother while he was still in the pouch.
Deputy Head of Mammals, Jenni Maxwell, stepped in as a surrogate mother, raising Elvis at home and becoming his round-the-clock carer. “At the beginning, I was feeding him every two hours throughout the day and night,” she said. “The feeds would take about 40 minutes so it was a long process and I learnt how little sleep you can function on!”
Staff quickly rallied around to support Elvis’ care, including the creation of a bespoke pouch designed by Assistant Animal Manager Chris Kibbey, who transformed baby-safe materials into a warm, snuggly, washable space for the joey to feel safe and secure.
Cotswold Wildlife Park's Deputy Head of Mammals, Jenni Maxwell with 'Elvis the Wallaby'
Elvis has since thrived under Jenni’s care, enjoying evenings curled up on the sofa, being brushed with a hamster comb, and cuddling up to a kangaroo teddy. Now more confident and energetic, he has started to graze in Jenni’s garden and enjoys daily trips to the Park’s Wallaby paddock where he can socialise with the resident group.
“He bombs around and is really fast!” Jenni said. “These socialising sessions are important as he's learning how to be a Wallaby by mixing with our group every day.”
Named after Jenni’s father’s favourite singer, Elvis Presley – who famously owned two Wallabies himself – this little joey may one day join the European Breeding Programme at the Park. Until then, he remains off-show, continuing his incredible journey under the care of his devoted keeper.
Explore Gloucestershire
13 April 2025
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