Baby kangaroos visit health care workers at UPMC campuses

By JEFF STITT
jstitt@yourmvi.com
“We’re bringing the Outback to the ‘burbs out here in the east (of Pittsburgh),” Dr. Dawn Klejka joked as she watched two nurses holding a baby kangaroo in UPMC McKeesport’s courtyard.
Staff members — and the occasional patient — lined up outside of UPMC McKeesport Wednesday afternoon to meet a couple of joeys, Isla — a 9-month-old kangaroo, and another female who is 6 months old and doesn’t yet have a name.
Nurses, physicians, aides, radiology department staff, building and grounds workers, UPMC police and others were given the chance to spend a few minutes holding and cuddling with the baby roos in a cloth pouch bag. Since kangaroos are marsupials and Isla and the other joey are still young, the bag is meant to simulate a mother kangaroo’s pouch.

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