Southern Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby Recovery Team

The Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) convenes the Southern or Victorian Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby Recovery Team, bringing the skills, resources and knowledge to ensure the long-term survival of the wallabies through captive breeding, threat abatement and monitoring activities. An estimated 20 animals are left in the Little River Gorge area of the Snowy River National Park, East Gippsland and 10 captive bred animals were released as a trial into a previously extinct site in the Grampians National Park, Western Victoria. The captive population is spread across four institutions and currently holds 33 animals.

Victoria contains the Southern genetically distinct group or Evolutionary Significant Unit of Brush-tailed Rock-wallabies.

Threats

  • European red fox – Predation from introduced species like the fox, is one of the biggest threats to Southern Brush-tailed Rock-wallabies in the wild, because of their agility.
  • Genetic decline – Due to the low population level and long-term isolation, genetic diversity is low.
  • Inappropriate fire regimes – Large, intense fires could directly kill individuals or post-fire starvation may occur.
  • Competition – Introduced species such as feral goats and rabbits can compete with Brush-tailed Rock-wallabies for food and shelter.
  • Drought and Disease – Small populations are susceptible to stochastic or unpredictable events.

Recovery Actions

  • Identify potential sites for reintroduction / translocation of Brush-tailed Rock-wallabies
  • Undertake captive breeding for reintroduction or population reinforcement
  • Control introduced animals (predators and competitors)
  • Identify fire management priorities and develop detailed plan
  • Monitor and survey habitat, threats, and Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby populations
  • Conduct priority research projects
  • Increase community awareness and support

Organisations Involved

State Agencies

Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE)

The Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) convenes the Southern or Victorian Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby Recovery Team bringing the skills, resources and knowledge to ensure the long-term survival of the wallabies through captive breeding, threat abatement and monitoring activities.

Parks Victoria

Parks Victoria is responsible for monitoring activities, controlling threats such as introduced predators and fire management, as well as community education.

Captive Management

Waterfall Springs Wildlife Sanctuary

Waterfall Springs Wildlife Sanctuary is a non-profit private organisation located on the Central Coast of NSW that works with government wildlife agencies, major zoos and the community in the fight to help save endangered species. With its 30 purpose built enclosures, intensive breeding facilities and specialist technologies, Waterfall Springs is currently the lead organisation in the development and implementation of the captive breeding program for the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby in NSW.

Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve

Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve is located in the Australian Capital Territory between the Tidbinbilla and Gibraltar Ranges. It has both intensive breeding facilities and large enclosures for breeding. In addition, specific large enclosures enable the holding and acclimatisation of animals prior to reintroduction to the wild. Wildlife facilities cater for involvement in threatened species recovery programs and also research opportunities in veterinary science.

Adelaide Zoo and the Waite Animal Facility

Adelaide Zoo in South Australia has been involved in the captive breeding program for the Southern Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby.

Taronga Conservation Society Australia

Taronga Conservation Society Australia staff contribute technical expertise to the recovery team.

ARAZPA

Captive populations are managed under the guidance of the Australian Species Management Program, the species management arm of the Australasian Regional Association of Zoological Parks and Aquaria (ARAZPA).

Community/Non-Government Organizations Involved

Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife

The Friends Of Grampians Gariwerd work in close co-operation with the local staff of Parks Victoria to promote the conservation, protection and restoration of the Grampians National Park, and to increase the community’s involvement and assistance with projects within the Grampians National Park, of which Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby recovery has been a part of.

WWF-Australia

WWF-Australia is working to promote the plight of the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby in the community. WWF-Australia has also helped to coordinate more investment in recovery efforts through government grants, corporate sponsorship, and donations.

Role and interests of indigenous people

Recovery of the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby will also require collaboration and assistance from Aboriginal people who either have management responsibility for affected lands or have a cultural link with lands supporting Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby habitat. Below is a list of organisations representing indigenous peoples who will be consulted during the implementation of the National Recovery Plan.

How you can help

Newsletter

The Southern Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby Recovery Team publish The Shadow – the newsletter of Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby conservation in Victoria.

Contacts

Southern Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby Recovery Team (Victoria)

Email: [email protected]
Website: www.vicrockwallaby.com

Parks Victoria

Information Centre Phone: 131 963
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.parkweb.vic.gov.au

VIC Department of Sustainability and Environment

Phone: 136 186
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.dse.vic.gove.au

State recovery information: Victoria | New South Wales | Queensland

State Information

What you can do!

An important aspect of Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby recovery is the active involvement of local landholders and the community overall. See what you can do!

Resources

Did you know?

Before European settlement, Brush-tailed Rock-wallabies were widespread throughout southern Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. At the beginning of the twentieth century over half a million animals were killed for the fur trade and as agricultural pests.