Wallabies Find Safe Home

TWO brush tailed rock wallabies have moved into the Aussie Ark on Barrington Tops in hopes they will save their species from extinction.

Tim Faulkner, president of Aussie Ark said there were less than 20,000 brush tailed rock wallabies left in the wild due to foxes, wild dogs and destruction of their habitat.

“What we are doing at Aussie Ark is ensuring that the gorgeous brush tailed rock wallaby doesn’t die out; extinction is forever!” said Tim Faulkner.

“Australia has the worst mammal extinction rate in the world and we can’t let this species go down that path,” he said.

The first two wallabies will be joined by a dozen others to form a breeding population at the Ark.

The Office of Environment and Heritage donated $15,000 to the charity to assist with the new program.

“We are very proud to be working closely with the New South Wales Office of Environment and Heritage to save this species, however, it’s a sad reality that our wildlife needs to be kept within fenced sanctuaries to ensure their safety,” said Mr Faulkner.

The Aussie Ark began as the Devil’s Ark, a breeding facility for the Tasmanian devil, following on from the success with the devils  the Ark is now home to other species including Eastern bettongs and Southern brown bandicoots.

The Aussie Ark is open to the public during January: Chance to Visit the Devils.

The Aussie Ark will now be home to the brush tailed rock wallaby.