Roger Williams Park Zoo on Thursday announced the birth of a Matschie’s tree kangaroo, the first of its kind to be born at the zoo in the last two decades and one of only three born in captivity in the United States this year.

Native to the rainforests of Papua New Guinea, the tree kangaroo is an endangered species and is part of the zoo’s Special Survival Program, a cooperative breeding effort along with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. It is estimated there are less than 2,500 wild tree kangaroos remaining. There are currently 53 living in the U.S., and seven in international facilities.

The zoo said it was first discovered that the female tree kangaroo was pregnant following the announcement of plans for construction of a new exhibit in the Australasia building by this spring. Those plans were subsequently put on hold given that the first six months after birth is a critical time for both the mother and baby kangaroo, according to Dr. Jeremy Goodman, the zoo’s executive director.

The exhibit – which will include indoor and outdoor viewing areas – is now planned to open in early fall. Images of the baby kangaroo’s development in its mother’s pouch will be displayed in the Australasia building until the opening.