Six endangered Southern Brush-tailed Rock-wallabies have been flown to Canberra from Victoria. Photo: Environment Victoria.
Six critically endangered Southern Brush-tailed Rock-wallabies have been flown from Victoria to Canberra and released into a nature reserve in an effort to bolster the species’ genetic robustness.
Once found from the Grampians to the Brindabellas, the wallaby is today a critically endangered species in the ACT.
This latest release occurred thanks to the cooperation of the Southern Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby Recovery Team and the Odonata Foundation.
The six wallabies were captured in the Grampians National Park in Victoria and flown to Canberra early last month.
Odonata Foundation chief operating officer Matt Singleton said it was the result of decades of work.
“It reflects the persistence and commitment of many partners who have worked tirelessly to bring the species to this exciting stage, where genuine recovery is now within reach,” Mr Singleton said.
The Southern Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby has been effectively extinct in the ACT outside Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve since 1959, but a small breeding population has been protected in the park in an effort to bring back the species.
Only about 100 of the marsupials are thought to be active in the ACT reserve, with concerns about their ability to repopulate prompting the latest release.
City and Government Services Minister Tara Cheyne praised the cooperation between the non-profits and the Territory to protect the endangered wallaby.
“This exchange of wallabies with our interstate partners really demonstrates the value of these captive-breeding programs in helping to protect these species from extinction,” Ms Cheyne said.
“I thank the entire recovery team for their valuable partnership in protecting these marsupials for future generations and look forward to working together in the future.”
The ACT’s wallaby-breeding program was established in 1996 when there were only an estimated 20 left in the wild. Today, with the number growing, concerns over genetic diversity prompted the current release.
Moving a population of rock-wallabies isn’t a simple task: before being released into the reserve, the six Victorians first had to complete 30 days of quarantine.
They are now making their home in a specially designated section of the reserve, and it’s hoped they will help continue to strengthen the wallaby population.
“Only a few safe havens exist for this species,” Ms Cheyne said. ”These are critical for providing insurance against extinction and a source of genetically robust animals for reintroductions.
“All wallabies have had a thorough vet check and are healthy and ready to integrate safely with our existing wallaby population.”
The wallabies were released into Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve’s Jedbinbilla Safe Haven, a special predator-proof sanctuary designed to protect them.
Established in 2024, it is considered by conservation groups as a key to preserving the species into the future.
