World Kangaroo Day: Date, Themes, History, and Interesting Facts About Kangaroos

World Kangaroo Day 2024: World Kangaroo Day is celebrated on October 24, 2024, encouraging action for kangaroo welfare. Additionally, there’s an International Kangaroo Care Awareness Day on May 15. The theme for 2024 is "Magic," emphasizing the positive effects of skin-to-skin contact between parents and their infants.

Theme of World Kangaroo Day 2024:

The theme for World Kangaroo Day is “Magic with Kangaroos”, encouraging the people of Australia to think about the way that they share their space with these fascinating, powerful creatures.

History of World Kangaroo Day:

World Kangaroo Day was started in 2020 through the collaborative efforts of Kangaroos Alive and the Animal Justice Party with the purpose of raising public awareness about the need that these beautiful and majestic creatures have for protection and care. This day comes with a call for a moratorium on killing kangaroos for commercial use, and the inaugural event was endorsed by famous Australian cricket player and cricket coach Jason “Dizzy” Gillespie.

Part of the motivation behind starting the day was in response to the devastating bushfires that took place in Australia in late 2019 and early 2020 which killed off many of the kangaroos and other wildlife in the country. In fact, it is estimated that nearly 3 billion koalas, kangaroos and other native animals lost their lives in the fires.

Interesting Facts About Kangaroos:  

1. Kangaroos are the world's largest marsupials.
2. They can grow up to 6.6 feet (2 meters) tall and weigh between 50-200 pounds (23-91 kilograms).
3. Kangaroos have powerful legs, strong tail, and sharp claws.
4. They have excellent eyesight, hearing, and sense of smell.
5. Kangaroos are herbivores, feeding on grasses, leaves, and plants.
6. Kangaroos can go without water for long periods, getting moisture from plants.
7. Kangaroos live in groups called "mobs."
8. Kangaroos have unique fingerprints, just like humans.
9. Kangaroos are known for their playful nature.