Rock wallabies: caught between a rock and a hard place
These unique and beautiful 'acrobats of the marsupial world' leap and bound their way around rocky outcrops and cliff ledges in rugged and steep areas throughout Australia. Of the 15 species of rock wallaby, many are now considered threatened, and have disappeared from much of their original range (the areas they inhabit).
Threats from invasive species and altered habitat
The yellow-footed rock wallaby inhabits rocky outcrops
© WWF-Canon/Martin HARVEY
Life is tough for rock wallabies. They have been deprived of available habitat due to a combination of factors such as clearing of native vegetation, weed invasion and changed patterns of fire across the landscape. They must also cope with being killed by foxes, and they compete with livestock, feral goats and rabbits for food. This competition forces them to search for food outside their natural ranges.
For example, in New South Wales there are only two colonies of yellow-footed rock wallabies left, about 10 km apart. This species is considered to be in serious danger of extinction in this State.
Historically hunting for the fur trade has also caused a decline in rock wallaby numbers. Although this is no longer a current threat, it has had a big impact on the rock wallaby population.
Why do we need to protect these marsupial acrobats?
Rock wallabies aren't found anywhere else on earth. As Australians, we're the guardians of this unique marsupial!
There are currently 15 species and eight subspecies of rock wallaby. Rock wallabies form the largest group of macropods (i.e. kangaroos, wallabies and their relatives - macropod literally means 'large foot') representing 31% of remaining species. Rock wallabies are an internationally recognised group for the study of the development of species and chromosome evolution in kangaroos and wallabies.
Our threatened rock wallaby species
Yellow-footed rock wallaby
Once hunted for its fur, this beautiful wallaby, known also as the ring-tailed rock wallaby, was once widespread throughout arid and semi-arid Australia. Today it is only found in a few isolated rocky outcrops in New South Wales, South Australia and Queensland.
Black-footed rock wallaby with a joey (baby) in pouch
© WWF-Canon/Martin HARVEY
Black-footed rock wallaby
Also known as "waru" in Western Desert Aboriginal languages, this rock wallaby was once widespread in the central desert regions of the Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia. It's now only found in a few scattered locations.
Herberts rock wallaby
The Herberts rock wallaby is smaller and lighter in colour than the brush-tailed rock wallaby that is found further south. It generally weighs less than six kilograms. Its distinctive bushy tail is about 55 cm long and helps it to balance as it leaps across rocks. Herberts rock wallabies can be found in Southeast Queensland.
Prosperine rock wallaby
This rock wallaby was only brought to the attention of scientists in 1976 and is found in just a few locations in north-east coastal Queensland. This shy and beautiful wallaby lives on rocky outcrops in dense forests surrounded by more open grassy woodland.
Brush-tailed rock wallaby
Found in New South Wales, Queensland and critically endangered in Victoria, the brush-tailed rock wallaby has disappeared from much of the southern and western part of its range.
How is WWF halting the rocky decline?
WWF is working with community groups to carry out surveys of some known rock wallaby populations and to determine and implement effective measures to help the species recover. Community groups are being supported to get involved in habitat protection and to work on controlling predators to save the species along with continuing surveying and monitoring to understand more about rock wallabies.
Through the Threatened Species Network, we're supporting projects that focus on managing fire regimes and monitoring populations of brush-tailed rock wallabies at Currawinya, NSW, and controlling predators and engaging landholders in the Warrumbungles in central western NSW.
How you can help
- One of the most important aspects of recovery of threatened species and communities is the protection of their habitat. Two thirds of Australia is privately managed rural land, and there is increasing recognition of the important role that private landholders can make to the conservation of biodiversity across Australia. If you manage, live on or own land that is habitat for rock wallabies, contact your state TSN coordinator to find out about how you can help.
- You can also check the volunteer listing for your area to see if there's any opportunity to help the rock wallaby, or other Australian species.
- If you don't live near a rock wallaby habitat you can donate to WWF to help us protect our endangered Australian species, like the rock wallaby.
