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by
Andre van
Paridon
There were
seventeen species of kangaroo in South Australia
at the time of European settlement. This had
a dramatic effect on each of them in various
ways as can be seen by the following list, which
shows their status today.
Red
Kangaroo (Macropus rufus)- Common
over a wide area
Western
Grey Kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus)
- Common in southern temperate areas
Eastern
Grey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) –
Rare in SA, occurs in the South East and
occasionally found in the Riverland of S.A.
Common
Wallaroo (Euro) (Macropus robustus)s
- Common in northern hilly areas
Red-Necked
Wallaby - Common where suitable habitat
exists in the South East
Toolache
Wallaby - Presumed extinct
Yellow-footed Rock-Wallaby - Uncommon,
occurs in the Gawler and Flinders Ranges
Black-footed Rock-Wallaby - Sub species,
Pearson Island Rock-Wallaby - exists on three
off-shore islands
Crescent
Nailtail Wallaby - Presumed extinct
Dama
Wallaby (Tammar) – Extremely Rare on
mainland - common on Kangaroo Island
Red-Bellied Pademelon - Extinct in S.A.
still occurs in the eastern states
Desert
Rat-Kangaroo - Presumed extinct
Rufous
Hare-Wallaby - Extinct in S.A.,. still
occurs on islands off Western
Australia
Eastern
Hare-Wallaby - Presumed extinct.
Brush-Tailed Bettong - Presumed extinct,
rare, the only known specimens are due to
re-introduction programs
Burrowing
Bettong - Extinct in S.A., still occurs on
islands off Western
Australia
Long-Nosed
Potoroo - Extinct in S.A., still found in
the Eastern states where suitable habitat exists
The
Yellow-Footed Rock-Wallaby Research Programme
When this
program began in 1976 it was thought that this
wallaby was declining. Now, it is known that
although it has been reduced in range and-
numbers, it is not in immediate danger of
extinction, as nearly 200 separate colonies have
been located in the Flinders Ranges alone.
Research at a
study site there has provided information on
population changes and feeding habits. From
these studies it will be possible to develop
management methods to ensure their long term
survival.
The
Pearson Island Rock-Wallaby Re-introduction
The Pearson
Island Rock-Wallaby, as the name implies, only
occurs naturally on Pearson Island. Single
small populations are vulnerable should
environmental changes occur: e.g. fire,
introduction of predators or competitors for the
same food source, but, as yet. fire is the only
real danger.
As the
attempt to breed these animals in captivity in
the 1960’s was unsuccessful, it was decided to
introduce them to other suitable islands. Two
privately owned islands were chosen. namely
Wedge and Thistle Islands, as they are both fox
and rabbit free. In 1975 eleven wallabies
were introduced to Wedge Island and ten to
Thistle Island. Both colonies are now
established and expanding, giving the Pearson
Island Rock-Wallaby an excellent chance of
survival.
The
Brush-Tailed Bettong Re-Introduction
These animals
have been extinct in S. A. since l903 but still
remain in small colonies in Western Australia.
Animals imported from Perth- Zoo have been
successfully bred in captivity in S.A. and the
off-spring from these have since been
established on two small islands off Eyre
Peninsula. Efforts have been made to introduce
them on Wedge Island and also to re-introduce
them on St. Francis Island.
Re-introduction to the mainland of S.A. is
unlikely as it was probably due to the loss of
suitable habitat, predation by foxes and
competition with rabbits which caused their
extinction in the first place and all of these
conditions still exist today.
Summary
As it has
only taken 200 years for nine of the original
seventeen species to become extinct in S.A.
alone, how long will it take to wipe out more,
if not all species known to us? Surely we
should be more aware of what European settlement
has done, and is continuing to do, to the
environment and consequently the survival of
these animals.
Reference:
Kangaroo Conservation in South Australia
Department of Environment and Planning
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