What is the conservation status of the wallaby?

Answer 1

The kangaroo is not listed as vulnerable or threatened. All Australian native animals are protected. However, in a few areas where the kangaroo is considered to be plentiful to the point of being a "pest", permission has been granted for limited kangaroo culling.

Answer 2

The platypus, although found only in the country of Australia (which includes the island state of Tasmania) is notendangered. It is not listed on the IUCN Redlist (endangered species list).

There was a time when the platypus was under threat, being particularly prized for its fur years ago. In the past it came closer to extinction but it now has protection by law in the National Parks and Wildlife Act of 1974 (from hunters and fishermen), and the population has grown back to a healthy size. However, there are concerns regarding the destruction of their habitat and awareness of this problem is increasing. The use of fishing nets is still something of a problem, even though it is illegal now to use fishing nets in freshwater rivers and creeks, as the platypuses can become entangled.

The Australian Government lists the platypus as "common but vulnerable". The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists the platypus as "least concern". Platypuses are now strictly protected by law. The platypus is vulnerable because of habitat loss through deforestation, dams and irrigation projects. They have disappeared from South Australia.

Answer 3

There are dozens of species of wallabies, and their conservation status varies. Some types of wallabies are endangered, others are not. The swamp wallaby, for example, which is the largest of the wallaby species, is classified as "common". It is adaptable to a variety of habitats and can readily be seen in farmlands, the bush, on the fringes of settlements and in reserves within cities.

Wallabies with a conservation status of "endangered" include the following (among others):

• Brush tailed rock wallaby
• Yellow footed rock wallaby
• Proserpine rock-wallaby
• Bridled nailtail wallaby
• Banded hare-wallaby

The following wallaby species are "near threatened", "threatened" or "vulnerable":

• Parma wallaby
• Black footed rock wallaby
• Black-flanked rock wallaby
• Tammar wallaby