Pouch Pals at CMA

Snuggle Up with Kangaroo Joeys During the NEW Pouch Pals at Clearwater Marine Aquarium!

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Just in time for Spring Break, you can hop on over to Clearwater Marine Aquarium to interact and snuggle up with a baby kangaroo joey! From March 14 through April 20, the Pouch Pals Baby Roo Encounter will give guests the unique chance to hold, interact with, and cuddle with a baby kangaroo while learning all about conservation efforts taking place to protect these marsupials.

Brian Braitsch, President and CEO of Amazing Animals, Inc. will be introducing guests to two 9 1/2-month-old joeys – Bindi (female) and Irwin (male). They're named in honor of the late wildlife conservationist, Steve Irwin and his daughter, Bindi.

A young boy in a bright green rash guard and patterned swim trunks smiles excitedly with his arms outstretched while standing in shallow water at a colorful water park. Behind him, vibrant blue, red, and yellow water slides and play structures tower under a partly cloudy sky.

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Pouch Pals at CMA
Bindi and Irwin, CMA's newest temporary residents

“We are thrilled to welcome Irwin and Bindi to Clearwater Marine Aquarium,” said Joe Handy, CEO of CMA. “These kangaroos are an exciting addition to our animal family and provide a unique opportunity for guests to experience Australian wildlife up close. We can’t wait for our guests to meet them during spring break.”

The folks at Clearwater Marine Aquarium invited us out for a sneak peek of the event before it opens to the public, and needless to say, we JUMPED at the chance to go see them!

What to Expect During the Pouch Pals Encounter

Once we arrived, we made our way up to level 4 and were shown a short video about the conservation efforts that Amazing Animals Inc. is taking to help raise awareness and conservation efforts being made to protect kangaroos. Next, we had the chance to sit and snuggle with one of the two baby roos.

During our visit, we had the chance to meet Bindi! Bindi was already cuddled up in her special, custom-made pouch that gives the joeys a similar feeling of being in their mother's pouch. There is a special bench where I was able to sit and snuggle Bindi on my lap.

We could tell Bindi felt safe and secure in her pouch but was very curious about her surroundings. One of the benefits on this new encounter is to get them used to being around humans and helping them socialize before they move into their new home at Amazing Animals Inc. in St. Cloud, FL.

While holding her, we were able to pet her and even got to see her own little pouch. Brian was on hand to answer our questions about kangaroos, so the experience was not only adorable, but educational too. The whole encounter lasts about 20 minutes and includes one complimentary professional photo (we also learned Bindi loves looking at the camera).

Pouch Pals at CMA
Guests will have the chance for plenty of adorable photo ops while holding the baby roos!

After we were done with all the snuggles and cuddles, Brian took Bindi to an enclosed area so she could stretch her legs and hop around. And, like a typical baby roo, when she was done showing off her jumping skills, she climbed right back into her pouch for a nap.

In addition to Bindi and Irwin, CMA will also showcase a range of other exciting and unique animals while they're there. The special spring break experience includes the chance to see:

  • Herman’s Tortoise: A resilient, slow-moving companion.
  • Blue Tongue Skink: A fascinating reptile with striking blue coloration.
  • Bearded Dragon: A friendly and fascinating lizard.
  • Ball Python: A non-venomous snake known for its docile nature.
  • Hedgehog: A cute, spiky creature that is sure to captivate all ages.

How You Can Experience Pouch Pals

Guests can make their way up to level 4 from March 14-April 20 to meet these adorable Australian natives at 11:30 am, 12:30 pm, 2:30 pm, and 3:30 pm each day. The encounter requires the purchase of a separate ticket from general admission and costs $49.95 per person ages 5 and up (children under 5 may visit with a parent, but may not interact with the joeys). Though the interactive encounter is a separate ticketed experience, you can still go view Bindi and Irwin for no additional cost.

While you're there, you can also check out all the other incredible rescue animals that call CMA home such as dolphins, sea otters, sea turtles, the new zebra shark, and more!

To purchase tickets to CMA and check out the new Pouch Pals encounter, visit cmaquarium.org.

CMA is one of our favorite places to visit throughout the year and during Spring Break. For more Spring Break fun in Tampa Bay, check out The BEST Things to Do this Spring Break in Tampa Bay with the Kids.