Six Southern Brush-tailed Rock-wallabies have been released from quarantine into the ACT’s Jedbinbilla Safe Haven within Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve.
ACT Minister for City and Government Services, Tara Cheyne said the wallabies will join Tidbinbilla’s existing protected population of wallabies as part of the reserve’s breeding program.
“The Southern Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby is critically endangered, and its survival depends on captive breeding programs like the one in Tidbinbilla,” Minister Cheyne said.
“Only a few safe havens exist for this species. These are critical for providing insurance against extinction and a source of genetically robust animals for reintroductions.”
The six wallabies released into Jedbinbilla were flown into the ACT from Victoria on 1 August, where they completed a mandatory 30-day quarantine period.
“This quarantine period is now complete, and all wallabies have had a thorough vet check and are healthy and ready to integrate safely with our existing wallaby population,” the Minister said.
“Tidbinbilla also provided two wallabies to Mt Rothwell Sanctuary to complement the genetic diversity of the Odonata population, allowing both populations to benefit by the introduction of unique genes.
“By increasing the genetic diversity in these populations, we help improve the likelihood of producing a population that will thrive and adapt to challenges, like a changing climate. It’s our intention that when this population is large enough, we will be able to re-introduce these animals into the ACT – to put them back into the wild where they belong.
“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.
“I thank they entire recovery team for their valuable partnership in protecting these marsupials for future generations and look forward to working together in the future,” said Minister Cheyne.
For more information about the captive Southern Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby breeding program and Jedbinbilla Safe Haven, visit the Tidbinbilla website.
