15 Dec 2015

FARMERS FENCING FOR THREATENED WALLABIES

Local Wheatbelt farmers have come together to help protect a precious colony of wallabies at Mt Caroline Nature Reserve, near Kellerberrin in Western Australia.

WWF-Australia received a State NRM grant to install five kilometres of fencing to protect rocky outcrop habitat including a spur that extends into a private farm. The new fencing will protect the rock-wallaby habitat from grazing by stock and give it a chance to regenerate.

“The consent and cooperation of the landholders was vital to the success of this project,” said WWF spokesperson Rebecca Boyland. “We want to thank State NRM, the landholders and the Department of Parks and Wildlife for making this project possible.”

Local farmer, Laurie Shaw, said: "As land holders we are keen to do anything we can to assist the local wildlife, such as the black flanked wallabies, to thrive. They face many challenges in this part of the Wheatbelt and need all the help they can get."

The black-flanked rock-wallaby (Petrogale lateralis) is a threatened species, with the population in the Wheatbelt estimated to be around two hundred individuals.

The Wheatbelt populations have suffered major declines in recent years, probably due to a combination of predation from foxes and feral cats and the impact of drought reducing their food supply.

Other recent activities to protect the Wheatbelt wallabies have included the construction of a 175 hectare predator-proof sanctuary at nearby Nangeen Hill Nature Reserve.

WWF-Australia Media Contact:

Charlie Stevens, Senior Communications Officer