The Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo (BAMZ) needs help to name its newest addition -a Parma Wallaby joey.

Head zookeeper Zoey Roberts told The Royal Gazette: "We would like children to research the Parma Wallaby species and come up with an original name to reflect his origin."

The new male baby wallaby can be seen hopping around the Australasia exhibit after emerging from his mother's pouch in late April. He is the second joey for his parents Petre and Maura.

Endemic to Australia and New Zealand, the Parma Wallaby is a threatened species found in the wilds of New South Wales, as well as the Kawau Island, New Zealand where it was introduced in the 1870s.

The Parma Wallaby (Macropos parma) is just one of the threatened species in the American Zoo and Aquarium Association's Species Survival Plan (SSP). The SSP's participating zoos cooperate to maintain the genetic diversity of endangered species which are bred in captivity with the ultimate aim of returning the animals to their native habitats.

In 2000, there were only 57 of the Parma Wallaby species in 15 zoos in North America, which means that Bermuda's new wallaby is a vital contribution to the survival of the species.

For more information on the Parma Wallaby check out the BAMZ website at www.bamz.org.

Participants in the name giving contest can find forms at the website or they can be picked up at the BAMZ's front desk. Names will be accepted up until June 30.