Summer 2009 - Perth Zoo

New Quokka
Breeding Program
Quokkas are once again on display at Perth Zoo and
they’re here as part of a new nationwide captive
breeding population for the unique marsupial.
Perth Zoo is leading a program to establish a new
breeding population of Quokkas, working with the
Rottnest Island Authority, Department of Environment and
Conservation and four other Australian zoos. The intent of
the program is to help guard against a decline in Quokka
numbers in the event of disease introduction or natural
disaster. The zoos will also gain valuable insight into the
husbandry and reproductive biology of this species.
So far 15 Quokkas have been moved to the mainland
from Rottnest Island with eight settling into Perth Zoo.
The Quokkas were selected based on their age, sex and
health and were collected from a number of sites around
the island. Prior to the Quokkas’ departure Aboriginal
Elders performed a traditional smoking ceremony which
farewelled the animals and demonstrated honour and
respect to their ancestors.
In total, 33 Quokkas (five males and 28 females) will help
establish the new breeding population at Perth Zoo,
Taronga Zoo, Melbourne Zoo, Gorge Wildlife Park and
Adelaide Zoo.
Classified as vulnerable, Quokkas were once abundant on
the Australian mainland but with the arrival of foxes in the
late 1800s their numbers were drastically reduced.
The Quokkas on Rottnest Island are genetically distinct
from the two other Quokka populations in Western
Australia on Bald Island and in Bunbury. Their isolation
means there is a risk of a disease or similar catastrophe
on the island that could affect the population. Maintaining
a captive population in Australian zoos will help guard
against this.
Thank You, Water Corporation
The Water Corporation is
helping Perth Zoo support
threatened species in the wild
with the production of the Perth
Zoo 2010 Conservation Calendar
that will raise substantial funds
for Wildlife Conservation Action.
The 2010 Conservation Calendar
is full of stunning images of Perth
Zoo animals and contains special
discounts that visitors can use at
the Zoo throughout the year. The
calendar also promotes animal
and water conservation messages
to show that small actions can
make a big difference. You can
purchase the calendar from
Zoonique, the Perth Zoo Shop
for only $2, while stocks last.
The Water Corporation is a
valued partner of Perth Zoo.
Their sponsorship over the
years has supported Perth
Zoo exhibits including the
Australian Wetlands,
cockatoos and Motorbike
Frog as well as the 2008
Year of the Frog campaign.
The captive population of Quokkas will be managed at a
regional level across the five zoos to ensure high levels of
genetic diversity are maintained and a sustainable
breeding population is formed.
Perth Zoo’s Quokkas can be seen in the Australian
Bushwalk.
Did You Know?
Rottnest Island got its name from the Quokkas that
inhabit it. Dutch explorer Willem de Vlamingh visited
the island in 1696 and upon seeing the plentiful
Quokkas, which he described as ‘a kind of rat as big
as a common cat’, named the island ‘Rotte Nest’
meaning rat’s nest.
Summer 2009/10 | newspaw s
Photo Daniel Scarparolo/Perth Zoo
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