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Wheatbelt wallabies given protection

Wallaby Protection Launch

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An iconic Wheatbelt wallaby has been given extra protection after the State government announced $350,000 to target its predators. The project will run for three years and be coordinated in partnership by natural resource management group Wheatbelt NRM and the Department of Environment and Conservation. The threatened Black-flanked rock wallaby is found in only seven small sites in the Wheatbelt and numbers have been in serious decline. This includes Kokerbin Rock in the shire of Bruce Rock and Mt Stirling and Mt Caroline south of Kellerberrin. The native animals inhabit granite rocks with a particular structure, to help provide protection from predators. Wheatbelt NRM’s Rebecca Palumbo said the small wallaby was extremely susceptible to attacks from foxes and cats. “The juvenile wallabies are perfect snack-size for these feral predators,” Rebecca Palumbo said. “The wallabies are now living on isolated island refuges throughout the Wheatbelt and have no where to hide from foxes and cats. “We will be working with landholders surrounding these rocky refuges to remove the cats and foxes and give the wallabies a reprieve.” Rebecca Palumbo said the project would use baiting and trapping and continued support of the Red Card for Rabbits and Foxes program. “This community based program has seen more than 1000 people lay baits and cull 3000 foxes throughout the state,” Rebecca Palumbo said. “With the help of the community we hope the black flanked wallaby won’t become extinct like many of our Wheatbelt mammals.” For media enquiries, please contact: Wheatbelt NRM’s Rebecca Palumbo 9670 3100 or 0428 834 926