World’s rarest marsupial moves to Australia’s mainland

Gilbert's potoroos recovering after population plummets to just 40

October 2011: The release of 12 Gilbert's potoroos into a tiny mainland population on Western Australia's south coast is aiding the recovery of the world's rarest marsupial.

NEW HOME: A Gilbert's potoroo is released on the mainland – one of 12 to make the move

The critically endangered quokka-like animal has been subject to conservation efforts by Western Australia's Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) since the discovery of the only known wild population of about 40 animals at Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve near Albany in 1994.

DEC principal research scientist Tony Friend said ten potoroos were translocated between 2005 and 2007 from the original colony at Two Peoples Bay to predator-free Bald Island, as insurance against the loss of the mainland population.

Population on Bald Island is thriving
‘Early last year, nine potoroos were released into a predator-free 380ha enclosure in Waychinicup National Park, 25km east of Albany, with six of the animals coming from Bald Island and three from Two Peoples Bay,' he said.

‘Eight more were transferred from Bald Island in September last year, and we have just translocated 12 potoroos into Waychinicup, using animals bred on Bald Island.

‘The seven males and five females, four of which have pouch young, have been fitted with radio transmitters and will be tracked to provide information about behaviour and habitat types. This will teach us even more about this fascinating and rare species and help us select future release areas on the mainland.'

Dr Friend said DEC trapped a record 58 adult or sub-adult potoroos on Bald Island in June this year.

‘Last week, we trapped 18 potoroos in one day, which is more than ever before and demonstrates that the population on Bald Island is thriving,' he said.

‘The team was able to select the 12 most suitable animals for the translocation from the 18 trapped, to give the species the best possible chance of establishing a healthy population in Waychinicup National Park.'