ABQ BioPark names kangaroo joey Kalina, welcomes new male Sonny

The ABQ BioPark has given its kangaroo exhibit two new reasons for families to stop by: a female joey named Kalina and Sonny, a one-year-old male western gray kangaroo who arrived from another accredited zoo. The additions deepen the story of an exhibit that is still taking shape in Albuquerque and give visitors a clearer view of how the BioPark manages animal care, social groupings and conservation work.

Kalina was first noticed in her mother Sheila’s pouch in November 2025, and the BioPark later said her head could be seen in late January 2026 as she began spending more time outside the pouch. By late April, she was estimated to be about 8 to 9 months old. KOAT reported that the joey was later confirmed female and named Kalina, an Aboriginal name meaning love or affection. The BioPark said Kalina was born to western grey kangaroos Sheila and Sydney.

Sonny’s arrival adds another adult to the mob, and keepers have said he settled in quickly. KOAT reported that Sonny is often seen with Kalina and Chloe, the older female in the group. That kind of social adjustment matters at the BioPark because kangaroos are not displayed as isolated animals. Their behavior, movement and interactions help staff track health and comfort, while giving visitors a more complete look at how the species lives.

The kangaroo news also lands as the city continues building out the Australia exhibit at ABQ BioPark, a roughly 1.5-acre second phase expected to include kangaroos, wombats, Tasmanian devils, emus and wallabies. City officials have said the expansion should be finished by the end of 2026 or early 2027. The first phase of the Australian experience opened July 30, 2024, with Australian Shores and Lorikeets, bringing bird habitats and Aboriginal culture elements to the zoo.

The BioPark has used those additions to reinforce its place as more than a display attraction. It has held Association of Zoos and Aquariums accreditation since March 1981, its most recent inspection was in June 2021, and the accreditation was renewed for another five years in September 2021. The City of Albuquerque says fewer than 10 percent of the roughly 2,800 USDA-licensed animal exhibitors are AZA-accredited, a distinction that underscores the institution’s standing as it expands its role in education, conservation and summer visitor interest in Bernalillo County.