Kangaroos aren't just the stars of Australia. They have bounced their way into our hearts via movies, TV shows, cartoons and books. And what better day to celebrate these pouch-hopping marvels than World Kangaroo Day?
What Is World Kangaroo Day?
World Kangaroo Day was established in 2020 through the combined efforts of Kangaroos Alive and the Animal Justice Party, with the goal of raising public awareness about the need to protect and care for these majestic animals. The day serves as a call for a moratorium on the commercial killing of kangaroos, aiming to promote their conservation.
The inspiration for World Kangaroo Day partly arose in response to the devastating bushfires that ravaged Australia in late 2019 and early 2020, which led to the loss of nearly 3 billion native animals, including kangaroos and koalas.
Theme For World Kangaroo Day 2024
With the theme “Co-existing with Kangaroos,” World Kangaroo Day encourages people to reflect on how they share their environment with these remarkable creatures and to promote harmonious living between humans and wildlife. We are counting down the most iconic kangaroo characters in pop culture.
Kanga
The quintessential mom of the Hundred Acre Wood, Kanga is a total gem in A.A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh series. As the calm, nurturing mother of Roo, Kanga is always ready to dole out wisdom. She’s the kind of mom who somehow manages to keep everything together, even when her friends are bumbling through their latest adventure with Pooh’s honey obsession or Tigger’s bouncing antics.
Roo
Speaking of Winnie the Pooh, we can’t mention Kanga without talking about her adorable son, Roo. This little joey is the embodiment of childhood curiosity and energy. He’s always ready for an adventure, whether it’s jumping around with Tigger or learning life lessons from his beloved mother. Also, have you seen him bounce? Pure joy.
Skippy
If you don’t know Skippy, you need to hop on the retro train right now! Skippy the Bush Kangaroo was a classic Australian TV series from the 1960s, and Skippy was basically the Down Under equivalent of Lassie. This smart kangaroo saved the day in every episode, helping solve problems, rescue people in distress, and even alerting humans to danger with her signature “clicking” sound. Skippy could do it all—open gates, untangle ropes, and decipher human emotion better than most sitcom stars.
Jackie Legs
Moving into the wilder side of kangaroo pop culture, we’ve got Kangaroo Jack—or more specifically, Jackie Legs, the kangaroo who literally steals the show in this early 2000s comedy adventure. The movie follows two friends who accidentally put $50,000 in a jacket, which then ends up on a kangaroo they hit with their car. Cue the hilarious hijinks as they try to track down this quick and quirky kangaroo. Jackie Legs is a mix of sass, speed, and unintentional mischief.
Matilda
In Matilda, a 1978 film that’s become a cult classic, Matilda is a kangaroo who enters the boxing ring. This wacky, feel-good comedy is all about Matilda’s rise to fame as a boxing kangaroo, taking on human opponents and delivering knockouts with her powerful legs and tail. She embodies the "never give up" spirit. Sure, the movie’s premise is delightfully absurd, but isn’t that what makes it great?
Joey
In the charming 1980s Japanese-Australian animated series, The Adventures of the Little Koala, Joey the kangaroo is part of a lovable ensemble cast. While the show mostly centres around Roobear, a koala, Joey adds some kangaroo energy into the mix. Joey brings that Aussie flavour to an already adorable crew of woodland animals. He’s playful, adventurous, and always down for a good time with his friends in the fictional town of Koalaville.
Hip Hop
The 1977 animated Australian film Dot and the Kangaroo tells the story of Dot, a lost little girl who’s helped by a mother kangaroo to find her way home. Hip Hop, the mother kangaroo, takes Dot on a magical adventure through the Australian bush, teaching her important life lessons along the way. The film is as much about friendship as it is about wildlife conservation. Hip Hop is like the wise mentor we all wish we had: patient, nurturing, and full of practical bush knowledge.
Joey Kangaroo
Who could forget Joey Kangaroo from the Looney Tunes gang? Joey’s slapstick antics are a classic part of the Looney Tunes universe. Though often overshadowed by his loud-mouthed boxing dad, Hippety Hopper, he is still a mischievous little kangaroo in his own right. Joey often finds himself bouncing into trouble, only to baffle characters like Sylvester the Cat.
On World Kangaroo Day, let's celebrate these delightful marsupials, whether they’re starring in beloved children’s books or hopping their way through zany adventure films.
