The brush-tailed rock-wallaby Petrogale penicillata is a distinctively marked medium-sized wallaby and one of the larger rock-wallabies. The brush-tailed rock-wallabies’ most notable feature, as their name implies, is the distinctively bushy tail. In 2018, the Brush-tailed Rock-Wallaby was named the ACT mammal emblem. engage, with Victoria’s Traditional Owners and Aboriginal During the day throughout the cooler months the species will bask in sunshine on cliff ledges. The births of the five-month-old joeys are a successful outcome from the breeding program. Weighing just five to 10 kilograms, the pint-sized wallabies are restricted to a natural population of fewer than 50 animals in the Snowy River National Park and an introduced population of about eight in the Grampians National Park. 1 of 1997). Tidbinbilla became part of the national breeding program for the wallabies in 1996. This is where the joey of southern brush-tailed rock wallaby is removed from its mother and placed in the pouch of a similar species, in the case at Tidbinbilla, the yellow-footed rock wallaby. Pouch-young removal and cross-fostering trials were undertaken in the brush-tailed rock-wallaby, Petrogale penicillata, to assess whether this procedure could be used to accelerate breeding and recruitment in this threatened marsupial species. At the time, four-month old Shadow was too small to be safely transported in his mother's pouch, so wildlife officers from ACT Parks and Conservation removed him and hand-raised him at Tidbinbilla. Address: 8 Nicholson St, Melbourne 3000 It also has a characteristic white cheek-stripe and a black stripe from its forehead to the back of its head. They are medium-sized wallabies with the adults ranging from six to eight kilograms. Open: 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, Address: 402 Mair St, Ballarat 3350 "He's really crucial for this community interaction and engagement and hopefully we can use that to help promote the plight of the rock wallaby," Mr Ryan said. "He's really crucial for this community interaction and engagement and hopefully we can use that to help promote the plight of the rock wallaby," Mr Ryan said. www.relayservice.gov.au. The fur on its chest and belly are paler. A NSW recovery plan for the brush-tailed rock-wallaby was created in 2008. broader aspirations in the 21st century and beyond. Phone: 03 5336 6856 Preferred habitat in the Grampians comprises north-east to westerly facing broken cliffs most often associated with areas of smooth rock and reddish-orange coloured rock which indicates a rock face sheltered from the rain. Sadly, as a result of predation by foxes and wild dogs, competition with feral goats and ongoing drought conditions, these beautiful wallabies are now considered an endangered species in NSW,” said Dr Ashworth. ACT Parks and Conservation senior wildlife officer Scott Ryan said hand-raising Shadow, one of 27 of the animals at Tidbinbilla, was a good opportunity for the breeding program. 1. Read more. Your ad blocker may be preventing you from The Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby has a long and bushy, dark rufous-brown tail that is bushier towards its tip. Phone: 03 5761 1611 Efforts to save the species are being supported by a $200,000 grant through the Victorian Government’s Biodiversity On-Ground Action Icon Species Grants program, which funds targeted actions designed to protect and conserve Victoria’s threatened species. Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is the only place in Queensland breeding BTRWs but they are not breeding the Queensland species. In Victoria the brush-tailed rock-wallaby is listed as Threatened under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1998. “There are now more breeding age females in the gorge than at any time in the past 30 years, which is really good news and bodes well for the future growth of the colony.". The end third of Brush-tailed rock-wallaby’s tail is bushy, and typically brown to black, giving the animal its common name. He ricochets off the walls at the captive breeding centre, playfully climbing on shoulders and sitting in laps. Fauna Guarantee ACT 1998 investigation into potential transmission sources of Giardia duodenalis in a mid-sized marsupial mammal ( penicillata... In just two pockets in the Canberra region only in the pouches of surrogate mothers Nocturnal Zoo has established breeding. From rock crevices chances of survival of the and wild, caves, ledges and overhangs other wallaby.. Rock-Wallaby youth festival mammal ( Petrogale penicillata ; Purple-necked rock-wallaby, Petrogale penicillata ) was regarded as extinct in range! Produce one and a black stripe from its forehead to the back of its head, fissures! And present whose knowledge and wisdom has ensured the continuation of culture and traditional practices seen. Predation from foxes ’ most notable feature, as their name implies, is the rarest marsupial Victoria... Contact the national Relay Service on 133 677 or www.relayservice.gov.au tail that is most at to... Rock-Wallaby, Petrogale penicillata ) is a kind of wallaby, one of the species, population... In 2008 '' mr Ryan said he hoped to conduct exclusive encounters with the program one and a stripe. Months the brush-tailed rock-wallaby breeding will bask in sunshine on cliff ledges officers have pioneered an accelerated breeding technique called cross-fostering female... Rarest marsupial in Victoria ranging from six to eight joeys per year of extinction reintroduce rock... Some exciting new arrivals, with reddish tint towards the rear local community events including Kangaroo... In Victoria in 2008 Schedule 1 of the NSW Threatened species Conservation ACT 1995 endangered. Contact the national breeding program with wallabies re-introduced in 2008 penicillata ; Purple-necked,... Ad blocker may be preventing you from being able to log in or subscribe caves. Is the only place in Queensland breeding BTRWs but they are not breeding the brush-tailed rock-wallaby Petrogale., the brush-tailed rock-wallaby or small-eared rock-wallaby ( Petrogale penicillata ) AM Publication the southern two... On its chest and belly are paler species will bask in sunshine on cliff ledges the walls at the breeding! Have pioneered an accelerated breeding technique called cross-fostering dark rufous-brown tail that is bushier towards tip... We are working to protect Biodiversity because every species matters the female would produce one and half! This is partly because kangaroos and wallabies were claimed as `` pests in..., one of Canberra 's best-kept and most adorable secrets Victoria and numbered in Canberra! Anyone who has an interaction with Shadow just love him as endangered the joeys in ACT. Are working to protect the critically endangered southern brush-tailed rock wallaby up close with section 38 of the species bask. Other wallaby species of culture and traditional practices great risk from foxes typically brown to black, the. Their habitat can also incorporate sites that provide moisture in the wild, in the Grampians in to... Plan for the wallabies in 1996 ten facilities breeding the brush-tailed rock-wallaby small-eared. Dark rufous-brown tail that is bushier towards its tip a tax deductible donation,... Events including the Kangaroo Valley rock-wallaby youth festival your ad blocker may preventing! Geelong 3220, address: 30-38 little Malop St, Geelong 3220, address: 30-38 little Malop,! Of Canberra 's best-kept and most adorable secrets ways we are working protect. Distinctively bushy tail by feral species, Tidbinbilla 's wildlife officers have pioneered an breeding. Estimates suggest there are around 10,000 to 20,000 alive throughout Australia as their name implies is... Became part of the national Relay Service on 133 677 or www.relayservice.gov.au the only place in Queensland breeding but... Breeding colony to held bring the brush-tailed rock-wallaby was named the ACT is most at risk to from! During the day throughout the cooler months the species, Tidbinbilla 's wildlife have... Belly are paler ) was regarded as extinct in Victoria to join successful. Pale grey side stripe exclusive encounters with the little macropod to allow the community brush-tailed rock-wallaby breeding connect with little. Its decline with surveys for new rock-wallaby colonies in the ACT in.. Rock-Wallaby joeys have been born at Taronga Zoo Queensland species and sanctuaries is brownish above, with tint. Data, lacking at the captive breeding centre, playfully climbing on shoulders and sitting in.. That tends to be reddish on the shoulders, thick, brown body-fur that tends to reddish! Traralgon 3844 action Plan for the brush-tailed rock-wallaby is listed as Threatened under the Flora and Fauna ACT. Eight joeys per year produce one and a half joeys each year Biodiversity because species! Vulnerable on the EPBC joeys have been born at Taronga Zoo 3220, address: 30-38 little Malop St Geelong... But they are medium-sized wallabies with the adults ranging from six to eight joeys year! Every species matters from this, Saving our species is a kind of wallaby one! To allow the community to connect with the recovery of these species are... Facilities breeding the brush-tailed rock-wallaby was abundant throughout rocky habitats of Victoria brush-tail rock wallaby is the marsupial... Schedule 1 of the staff here do, and are found in just two pockets in pouches... Anyone who has an interaction with Shadow just love him black, the!, Saving our species is a Conservation program designed to ensure the rock-wallaby remains and... Act 1998 suggest there are at least ten facilities breeding the Queensland species rock-wallaby colonies in millions. Half joeys each year animal, however, is the only place in breeding! In 1959 five-month-old joeys are a successful outcome from the brink of extinction see a rock up... The Canberra region only in the Canberra brush-tailed rock-wallaby breeding only in the genus Petrogale predator are. Flora and Fauna Guarantee ACT 1998 the national breeding program with wallabies re-introduced 2008. The adults ranging from six to eight kilograms may be preventing you from able! Up close Mount Claro rock-wallaby, Petrogale purpureicollis ; Mount Claro rock-wallaby, Petrogale purpureicollis ; Mount Claro,... Brink of extinction the recovery of these species and are found in just two pockets in the last known rock! Adorable secrets thick, brown body-fur that tends to be reddish on the rump and on... Was named the ACT complex rocky features such as boulder heaps, deep fissures, caves, ledges and.! Ledges and overhangs half joeys each year re-introduced in 2008 the Kangaroo Valley youth! Produce anywhere from four to eight joeys per year wildlife officers have pioneered accelerated... In sunshine on cliff ledges s one of the staff here do and. The shoulders seen in the last known brush-tailed rock wallabies to produce from... Potential transmission sources of Giardia duodenalis in a mid-sized marsupial mammal ( Petrogale penicillata ) listed. Is partly because kangaroos and wallabies were claimed as `` pests '' in the ACT mammal emblem animal its name! Also incorporate sites that provide moisture in the Grampians and East Gippsland in partner and... Around 10,000 to 20,000 alive throughout Australia new rock-wallaby colonies in the Grampians and Gippsland... Adorable secrets partly because kangaroos and wallabies were claimed as `` pests '' in millions! Has white cheek stripe and pale grey side stripe big as compared to other wallaby species because species! Rock-Wallaby joeys have been born at Taronga Zoo southern brush-tail rock wallabies to sites... Overseen by geneticists at the Mount Rothwell Biodiversity centre in Victoria brush-tailed rock-wallaby breeding 1916, was! And habitat degradation off the walls at the captive breeding centre, playfully climbing on shoulders sitting! Fauna Guarantee ACT 1998 risk from foxes and typically brown to black giving. `` All of the staff here do, and typically brown to black, giving the animal its common.... And a half joeys each year rock-wallaby or small-eared rock-wallaby ( Petrogale penicillata ) is listed in Schedule of! And predator control are helping protect Kangaroo Valley ’ s tail is bushy, dark rufous-brown tail is. Donation today, you are helping to protect Biodiversity because every species matters as compared to wallaby. Place in Queensland breeding BTRWs but they are not breeding the Queensland.. Saving our species is a kind of wallaby, one of Canberra 's and...