New quokka breeding program in Australian zoos

Environment Minister Donna Faragher and Tourism Minister Liz Constable have today welcomed eight quokkas from Rottnest Island to start a new life on the Australian mainland.

This is part of a national effort to establish a sustainable captive breeding population for the unique marsupial.

Co-ordinated by Perth Zoo and in collaboration with the Rottnest Island Authority, Department of Environment and Conservation and four Australian zoos, 33 quokkas will be used to establish the new breeding population.

Mrs Faragher said the new population in Australian zoos would help guard against a decline in quokka numbers in the event of disease introduction or natural disaster.

She said it would also provide insight into the husbandry and reproductive biology of this species.

"Being such a recognisable Western Australian animal, a strategy is being put into place to mitigate against a potential situation which could see them disappear," Mrs Faragher said.

"Although not as genetically diverse as some of the mainland quokka populations, which occur from Jarrahdale to Albany, it is critical to ensure preservation of the genetic component within the Rottnest population, which is not represented on the mainland."

The captive population of quokkas will be managed at a regional level with zoos in other Australian States to ensure high levels of genetic diversity are maintained and a sustainable breeding population is formed.

Dr Constable said the program was an important part of maintaining the environmental values of Rottnest Island.

"The quokka is such an important part of the character of Rottnest Island and we are delighted to support a program that will ensure a long and vibrant future for these animals," she said.

"WA is home to a rich diversity of animal and plant species found nowhere else in the world and as with other native species, such as the woylie, western swamp tortoise and numbat, it is the future of our natural heritage that we are helping to secure."

Perth Zoo keepers and veterinary staff, Rottnest Island Authority representatives and rangers as well as DEC representatives collected the eight quokkas this week with two more collections happening later in the year.

The selection of quokkas depended on their age, sex and health and they were collected from a number of sites around the island, but this did not include any quokkas from the settlement area.

An Aboriginal ceremony was held on the island before the quokkas' departure.

The zoos involved include Taronga Zoo (NSW), Melbourne Zoo (VIC), Gorge Wildlife Park (SA), Adelaide Zoo (SA) and Perth Zoo. All institutions are members of the regional zoo association, Australasian Regional Association of Zoological Parks and Aquaria (ARAZPA).

The new breeding program is endorsed by the Australian Species Management Program which oversees the establishment and management of breeding programs in Australian zoos.

Environment Minister's office - 9213 7250

Tourism Minister's office - 9222 9699