The ACT Government announced the completion of a new 120-hectare, predator-proof sanctuary for rock-wallabies at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. Photo: Bec Mack/ACT Parks and Conservation Service.
The ACT Government has officially opened the Jedbinbilla Safe Haven at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve to help protect the critically endangered southern brush-tailed rock-wallaby from predators.
The 120-hectare, predator-proof sanctuary is aimed at safeguarding the wallabies from their greatest threat – foxes – and supporting natural behaviours such as foraging and mate selection. It also serves as insurance against extinction and a source of animals for recovery programs.
“There are less than 100 of these animals in the wild, and they are on the brink of extinction from major threats such as foxes,” Minister for the Environment, Parks and Land Management Rebecca Vassarotti said. ”The Jedbinbilla Safe Haven will be a crucial step towards their recovery.”
In 2018, these wallabies were adopted as the ACT’s mammal emblem, even though they have not been seen in the wild in the capital since 1959.
Three decades ago, Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve started a conservation program from a captive population of three animals and since then it has successfully bred dozens of the wallabies.
Minister Vassarotti said this was another milestone for the Government’s commitment to protecting threatened species in the territory.
“The ACT Government has been contributing to the recovery of the southern brush-tailed rock-wallaby since the mid-1990s by protecting and breeding animals in captivity at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve,” she said.
”The animals produced by this breeding program are now more genetically robust than the few remaining animals in the wild.
“By breeding genetically robust individuals in captivity, the program ensures the preservation of genetic diversity, essential for the species’ survival.
“Thank you to everyone involved for their dedication and perseverance to opening the Jedbinbilla Safe Haven.”
Dr Sarah May, the threatened species program manager at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, said the haven was a considerable achievement.
“[It] could not have been done without the commitment, passion and vision of Tidbinbilla’s staff, and others from across the Parks and Conservation Service,” she said.
”Despite significant setbacks, including floods and COVID, we have achieved something we should all be very proud of as well as providing a safe home for brush-tailed rock-wallabies.”
Marc Perri and Richard Hill, co-chairs of the Southern Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby Recovery Team, said the haven would pave the way to reintroduce the species across its range in the ACT and Victoria.
“From captive breeding and genetic management of the captive population to this incredible milestone, the establishment of Jedbinbilla, this purpose-built, fox-proof, open-range facility will allow the captive population of the southern brush-tailed rock-wallaby to grow to several hundred animals,” they said.
The southern brush-tailed rock-wallaby also has cultural importance to the local Ngunnawal Aboriginal people.
Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve is open to the public from 7:30 am to 6 pm during winter. The Temporary Visitor Centre is now open from 9 am to 5 pm every day except Christmas Day.
Loading ...
