Narbelek (Petrogale concinna) are a tiny rock-wallaby that was once well distributed across the Top End. However, recent surveys of previously occupied sites in the Northern Territory have identified a significant decline in the species. Nabarleks are vulnerable to predation by feral cats, and changed fire patterns may be accentuating this vulnerability by removing food and shelter. Fauna surveys at AWC’s Artesian Range have confirmed the presence of this tiny Rock-wallaby in this remarkable area providing us with a rare opportunity to undertake strategic research into the key factors impacting on its survival.

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Black-footed Rock-wallaby (Petrogale lateralis – MacDonnell Ranges race) colonies have been quietly disappearing from isolated ranges in central Australia for several decades. Recent, comprehensive surveys of all rocky ranges on Newhaven have confirmed that populations exist on 5 out of 8 ranges. The fire management program at Newhaven now includes focused protection of these rocky ranges, and our feral predator monitoring is being adjusted to provide detailed information on fox densities around the ranges.

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Black-flanked Rock Wallabies (Petrogale lateralis lateralis) have disappeared from large areas of southwest WA. AWC has successfully reintroduced this species at Paruna. Regular monitoring shows that the Paruna population is breeding and increasing in size. A research project to track dispersal between Paruna and the surrounding national parks, using population genetic techniques, is currently underway.

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Sharman’s Rock-wallaby (Petrogale sharmani) was only discovered in 1976. This species has one of the most restricted distributions of the eastern Australian rock-wallabies. It is restricted to the Coane and Seaview Ranges, north west of Townsville. Listed as threatened by the Queensland Government, Mt Zero-Taravale accounts for nearly one third of its known range. It is regularly ‘captured’ during our systematic camera trapping surveys.

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The smallest of all the rock-wallabies, the Monjon was only discovered by scientists in 1976 in a remote part of the north-west Kimberley. Due to its inaccessible habitat and recent discovery, virtually nothing is known about its biology. The lucky few who have observed Monjons note that they squeeze into horizontal crevices during the day and thump their feet loudly on the rock to warn other Monjons of intruders. Due to their small size (no more than 1.5kg) Monjons are vulnerable to predation by feral cats. This is especially concerning given the likely role of feral cats in the catastrophic decline of small mammal populations currently occurring across northern Australia. AWC’s Artesian Range Wildlife Sanctuary is situated on the southern edge of the Monjon’s range in the Kimberley and provides a critically important refuge for the species. Indeed, the Artesian Range is the only part of Australia that has experienced no mammal extinctions since European settlement! Images of Monjons were collected from camera traps on our visit earlier this year. The Artesian Range Project provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to save this little known species from extinction and to conduct the first comprehensive research into Monjon biology.

To read more about AWC’s Artesian Range Wildlife Sanctuary, please click here.

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Yellow-footed Rock-wallabies (Petrogale xanthopus) were once harvested in their thousands for the fur trade and today persist in remote ranges in Queensland, NSW and SA. AWC’s Buckaringa Sanctuary protects one of the largest populations of this nationally threatened species in the southern and central Flinders Ranges. A concerted program of goat control has reduced competition for food, and the range size of our Yellow-footed Rock-wallabies has decreased dramatically as a result (because they do not need to travel so far for food). This reduces exposure to foxes, while an ongoing fox control program provides extra protection. AWC would like to thank Optus for its support in helping us to save this crucially important population of Yellow-footed Rock-wallabies from extinction.

To read more about the Yellow-footed Rock-wallaby, click here.

Find out more at Australian Wildlife Conservancy