Their numbers are declining, their dwindling habitat is being destroyed and they're at risk of extinction.
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But many Australians are unaware that one of the country's rarest animals is under threat.
While their more famous cousins on the ground are synonymous with Australia, high above in the trees of the Daintree, tree kangaroos are facing a battle that could see them disappear entirely in just 50 years.
To help save the species, the National Zoo partnered with the Tree Roo Rescue and Conservation Centre in Queensland to raise money for research efforts, coinciding with Tree Kangaroo Awareness Week this week.
Senior wildlife keeper at the zoo, Brendan Sheean, said the species was facing a number of threats.
"The big problem with tree roos in the wild are car strikes and feral predators and recently we've found some of them are going blind and we don't know why," Mr Sheean said.
Front and centre of the National Zoo's effort to create awareness of the plight of the species are the zoo's two Goodfellow's tree kangaroos, Simbu and Oumak.
Oumak has been at the zoo for six years, while Simbu only arrived a year ago.
It's hoped the two will be the start of a breeding program.
"Hopefully we'll be able to hear the pitter-patter of a joey in the next year," Mr Sheean said.
The keeper said there were many remarkable things about the species.
"Tree kangaroos evolved from rock wallabies. They still hop around but unlike the traditional ones, they evolved to hop up trees and they have longer claws and padded hands and feet," Mr Sheean said. "The tail is designed like a kangaroo's for balance, but it works better on trees and not on the ground.
"The extraordinary thing is they've been documented to be able to jump out of a tree 18 mtres high without an injury."
Last year, the partnership between the zoo and the conservation centre helped to raise $12,000 during the awareness week, and Mr Sheean said the zoo was hoping to match the figure this year.
As part of the week, the zoo will be raising money through a high tea at Jamala Wildlife Lodge and a trivia night at the Belconnen Labor Club on Friday.