4 minute read
KANGAROO ENCOUNTER
All photos courtesy of Babby Farms
Idaho’s Babby Farms
BY CHELSEA CHAMBERS
For many—probably most—of us living in Idaho, our kangaroo knowledge comes largely from shows on Animal Planet and stories from the other side of the world in down-under Australia, coupled with tales of spiders the size of dinner plates and more venomous snakes than you could shake a stick at. But beyond the fearsome predators that skulk the land down under, away from basketball-sized bugs and terrifying critters of the night, there is a place right here in the Treasure Valley where kangaroos frolic joyously among our arid high desert climate: Babby Farms.
“We currently have eight red roos here at our site,” shared Babby Farms owner Cheryl Harris. “Roos have a special place in our hearts at Babby. There’s the unique factor of seeing a roo—most of our guests tell us that Babby’s is the first time they’ve ever seen one in person. But if reared properly, they also provide a special level of interaction for our guests. AND CRIKEY! They’re also just straight up fascinating! There are so many captivating facts about kangaroos. Come pay us a visit, we’d love to share them with you,” she said with a smile.
Babby Farms is a non-profit organization with a simple mission: to give children and adults with disabilities the opportunity to experience the joy of interacting with a wide range of animals. Studies abound touting the benefits of animal interactions, with anxiety reduction, lowered cortisol, and decreased blood pressure levels to name a few.
“The roos are hand-reared and hand-fed because it socializes them from an early age,” Harris explained. “By keeping them social, we can work with them closer and provide unique experiences for all our guests, but especially individuals with disabilities and visitors with other special requirements.”
It’s a full-time job to keep the kangaroos fed and tended, requiring collaborative efforts to be shared amongst all staff members. “However, the zookeepers do most of the hard work. They work around the clock nursing and providing specialized care tailored to our baby roos’ needs,” she said.
As the kangaroos get older, they are weaned off bottled milk and begin a solid food diet, at which time they are ready to take treats and snacks from visitors. Many of their animal encounters allow farm guests to feed the animals directly, under staff supervision. This is definitely one of the most popular excursions for Babby Farms visitors. The kangaroos primarily eat a special formula of kibble, combined with fruits and vegetables for a well-rounded diet. “Some will even try a banana!”
“Our baby roos are always very loving,” said Harris. “We raise them with the closeness of newborn babies. That bond is always very special and unique. They are also funny and very observant. They are always surprising us with unique behaviors and quirks. And they certainly remember a face!”
Harris and her staff are grateful to be a part of such a profound and unique experience in southern Idaho. A visit to Babby Farms is guaranteed to be more than memorable. “It’s so wonderful to see a guest’s face light up when seeing a kangaroo for the first time,” Harris exclaimed with pride. “It’s just so fantastic to be part of that joy!”
Alongside the kangaroos, Babby Farms is home to more than 100 different species of animals, including otters, servals, owls, sloths, and more. Ever heard of a binturong? What about a capuchin monkey? Have you seen a lemur leap in real life? There’s so much to discover at Babby Farms! The 2024 season is well underway, so be sure to secure your ticket early!