JACKSON, N.J. — An unlikely friendship is capturing hearts behind the scenes at Six Flags Great Adventure’s Wild Safari, where a young American bison calf and a kangaroo have become best buddies.
Two-month-old bison calf Gertie has found a best friend in Penny, a hand-raised kangaroo just over a year old. The pair are currently spending time near the Wild Safari’s veterinary clinic, where their daily routine has developed into something the animal care team did not expect.
Almost every day, Penny can be found grooming Gertie, carefully tending to her much larger friend as the two spend time together.
“Animals have a way of surprising us, and the friendship between Penny and Gertie is certainly something special,” said Dr. William Rives, Director of Safari at Six Flags Great Adventure. “It’s unusual to see two very different species form this kind of connection, but they genuinely enjoy being together. Penny grooming Gertie has become an almost daily occurrence, and it’s been wonderful for our team to watch that bond develop.”
The friendship comes during an important stage for both young animals. Gertie, at just two months old, continues to grow under the watchful care of the Wild Safari team. Penny, who was hand-raised, is preparing for her next milestone: joining the kangaroo population out on the Safari.
That transition will mean a new chapter for Penny, but for now, the two friends are making the most of their time together.
The Wild Safari at Six Flags Great Adventure is home to more than 1,200 animals representing species from around the world. Guests experience the 350-acre wildlife preserve aboard an off-road guided truck tour, offering opportunities to see giraffes, rhinos, elephants, bison, kangaroos and many other animals.
The friendship between Penny and Gertie is another example of the unexpected moments that happen every day as the Wild Safari’s animal care team provides individualized care for the animals that call Great Adventure home.
