Published Friday, 01 August, 2008 at 12:15 PM
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation
The Honourable Andrew McNamara
Proserpine rock-wallabies find new home in tropical paradise
Two endangered joeys will enjoy life in tropical island paradise following their release by the State Government.
Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation Minister Andrew McNamara said the release of the Proserpine rock-wallabies would help ensure the survival of this endangered species in Queensland.
“A male and female joey have joined the island population, boosting the colony to more than 65 wallabies.
“The joeys were captive bred and have spent nearly a month in Airlie Beach to acclimatise to life in the tropics,” Mr McNamara said.
“Before being released the joeys will undergo health checks and be fitted with a microchip and temporary radio tracking collar. This means that rangers can track their movements for the next three months,” he said.
Member for Whitsunday Jan Jarratt congratulated Senior Ranger Barry Nolan for overseeing the release of the two wallabies.
“Ranger Nolan tells me that DNA reports have confirmed the Hayman Island colony is the most genetically diverse Proserpine rock-wallaby population in Australia.
“Hayman Island’s natural features make it a perfect tropical paradise for this fragile species to thrive,” Ms Jarratt said.
“The introduction of animals from a new gene pool will only add to its diversity and strength.”
Mr McNamara said Proserpine rock-wallabies were introduced to Hayman Island because of its habitat and the ability to manage introduced species of predators on the island.
“The species is unique to the Whitsundays region. It’s estimated that there is only between 375 and 750 animals left in the wild,” Mr McNamara said.
The major threats to the survival of these wallabies are habitat clearing and fragmentation, predators and the introduction of diseases by dogs and cats making Hayman Island – with the only naturally occurring predators on the island being eagles – an ideal location for repopulation of the species.
Mr McNamara said the culmination of the recovery program had reinforced the importance of the work done at David Fleay Wildlife Park with captive breeding programs for some of Australia’s most threatened species.
“The techniques developed here in Queensland will hopefully assist with threatened species programs elsewhere in Australia, and I am advised collaborative work has already been undertaken with wildlife researchers from interstate agencies.”
Mr McNamara said the EPA would continue its hard work to halt the decline of threatened species like the rock-wallaby.
Media Contact: Emma Parnell 3336 8004.
Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation Minister Andrew McNamara said the release of the Proserpine rock-wallabies would help ensure the survival of this endangered species in Queensland.
“A male and female joey have joined the island population, boosting the colony to more than 65 wallabies.
“The joeys were captive bred and have spent nearly a month in Airlie Beach to acclimatise to life in the tropics,” Mr McNamara said.
“Before being released the joeys will undergo health checks and be fitted with a microchip and temporary radio tracking collar. This means that rangers can track their movements for the next three months,” he said.
Member for Whitsunday Jan Jarratt congratulated Senior Ranger Barry Nolan for overseeing the release of the two wallabies.
“Ranger Nolan tells me that DNA reports have confirmed the Hayman Island colony is the most genetically diverse Proserpine rock-wallaby population in Australia.
“Hayman Island’s natural features make it a perfect tropical paradise for this fragile species to thrive,” Ms Jarratt said.
“The introduction of animals from a new gene pool will only add to its diversity and strength.”
Mr McNamara said Proserpine rock-wallabies were introduced to Hayman Island because of its habitat and the ability to manage introduced species of predators on the island.
“The species is unique to the Whitsundays region. It’s estimated that there is only between 375 and 750 animals left in the wild,” Mr McNamara said.
The major threats to the survival of these wallabies are habitat clearing and fragmentation, predators and the introduction of diseases by dogs and cats making Hayman Island – with the only naturally occurring predators on the island being eagles – an ideal location for repopulation of the species.
Mr McNamara said the culmination of the recovery program had reinforced the importance of the work done at David Fleay Wildlife Park with captive breeding programs for some of Australia’s most threatened species.
“The techniques developed here in Queensland will hopefully assist with threatened species programs elsewhere in Australia, and I am advised collaborative work has already been undertaken with wildlife researchers from interstate agencies.”
Mr McNamara said the EPA would continue its hard work to halt the decline of threatened species like the rock-wallaby.
Media Contact: Emma Parnell 3336 8004.