THREATENED SPECIES INFORMATION Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby Warrumbungles Endangered Population Petrogale penicillata (Gray, 1825) Other common name(s) None
Conservation status 1999). In the remainder of Australia, the Brush-tailed Rock Wallabies in the Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby occurs in south-east Warrumbungle Ranges were thought to be Queensland and in an isolated population in extinct until their re-discovery in 1993 (Wong Victoria (Eldridge & Close 1995). 1999). The population in the Warrumbungle bitat Ranges is now listed as Endangered on The Warrumbungles Endangered Population Schedule 1, part 2 of the Threatened Species of the Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby inhabits Conservation Act 1995 (TSC Act). In the steep, rugged, rocky sites. Vegetation on these remainder of NSW, the Brush-tailed Rock rocky sites generally consists of low shrubs, Wallaby is listed as an Endangered Species on figs and grasses (Moss et al 1997). Adjacent Schedule 1 of the TSC Act. foraging habitat varies from Spinifex grassland to Acacia woodland with a grassy understorey Description (summarised from Eldridge & and Cyprus Pine and Ironbark woodland with Close 1995) a shrubby understorey (Moss et al 1997). Head and Body Length Elsewhere in NSW, the Brush-tailed Rock 529-586 (557)mm (males) Wallaby occurs in a variety of habitats, ranging 510-570 (536)mm (females) from rainforest to sclerophyll forest and open Tail Length woodland (Eldridge & Close 1995). 510-700 (611)mm (males) 500-630 (563)mm (females) Weight 5.5-10.9 (7.9)kg (males) 4.9-8.2 (6.3)kg (females)
The Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby has brown fur above, merging into rufous on the rump and grey on the shoulders. The fur on the underside is pale to white. Distinguishing features are the prominent brush-tail, pale cheek stripe and black stripe from the forehead to back of head. The tail, feet and paws are dark brown to black. istribution The Endangered Population of the Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby occurs within and outside of Warrumbungle National Park, to the west of Coonabarabran.
Elsewhere in NSW, this species has a fragmented distribution on the coast and ranges from the Queensland border to the south coast. It is very rare in the southern E Holland/NPWS and western parts of its distribution (Dovey et al. 1997) and to the west of the Great Dividing Range, only Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby the population in the Warrumbungles remains (Wong x
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LEGEND Map Compiled From: Species Sightings from the NPWS Atlas of NSW Wildlife Database Brush-tailed R ock wallaby Roads and Riv ers data from AUSLIG r pre 1980 sightings $ Brush-tailed R ock Wallaby post 1980 sightings Copyright NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, December 1999 Roads This map is not guaranteed to be free from error or omission Rivers The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and its employees 50 0 50 100 Kilometers disclaim liability for any act done or omission made on the information in the map and any consequences of such acts or omissions
NPWS records of the Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby in NSW
Areas supporting complex rocky outcrops with particular large Figs, are also used for shelter numerous ledges, caves, overhangs and (Jarman & Bayne 1997). Within a colony, crevices are preferred as these provide a variety individual wallabies may share a single refuge of shelter and rest sites (Short 1982; Eldridge site, except for adult males which behave & Close 1995; Moss et al. 1999). Sunny, north- aggressively when in contact with each other facing sites are also preferred (Short 1982). (Jarman & Bayne 1997). Individual animals often use the same refuge over a period of time (Jarman & Bayne 1997). This small wallaby Ecology is particularly agile and is able to escape Brush-tailed Rock Wallabies occur in small predators on steep cliffs (Short 1982) and in groups or ‘colonies’ each usually separated by the lower branches of trees (Jarman & Bayne hundreds of metres (Jarman & Bayne, 1997). 1997). A total of seven colonies make up the Warrumbungles population, each colony Brush-tailed Rock Wallabies remain in the consisting of five to six individuals (NSW shelter and safety of refuges for much of the Scientific Committee). day, emerging to feed during the evening, usually within 200m of the refuge site (Jarman Each colony uses a number of different rocky & Bayne 1997). This species feeds outcrops or ‘refuges’ (Jarman & Bayne, 1997). predominantly on grasses and forbs and the Refuges are generally caves or crevices among foliage of shrubs and trees (Short, 1989). Seeds large boulders, but dense vegetation, in and fruits are eaten on a seasonal basis (Short, THREATENED SPECIES INFORMATION
1989). The wide variety of food taken by Brush- tailed Rock Wallabies may increase their ability Management to cope with drought and competition from other more specialised grazers (Short 1989). · Protection of known or potential habitat and creation of habitat links Each adult male aggressively defends an area · Control of feral predators and feral encompassing the refuge sites of up to 3 females herbivores (Jarman & Bayne 1997). Juvenile males · Community education and involvement in disperse to a vacant area within the colony or surveys, feral animal control and leave the colony completely. Juvenile females conservation either disperse or remain and breed in their · Alteration of prescribed burning regimes natal colony. to ensure the enhancement and maintenance of known or potential habitats Threats · Research, survey and monitoring of Threats populations. · Predation by foxes, feral cats and wild dogs (Miller & Moss 1997; Lunney et al. 1997) Recovery plansRecovery Plans · Competition for food and shelter resources A recovery plan for the Warrumbungles with introduced herbivores, in particular Endangered Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby goats (Miller & Moss 1997; Lunney et al. population has been completed. 1997) · Degradation of habitat due to introduced herbivores, weed invasion and inappropriate fire regimes (Miller & Moss For Further Information contact 1997) · Clearing for agricultural development resulting in the loss and fragmentation of habitat (Miller & Moss 1997; Lunney et al. 1997) · Historically, extensive hunting for the fur trade and shooting as agricultural pests caused substantial declines in numbers and distribution (Eldridge & Close 1995; Lunney et al. 1997) References
Dovey L., Wong V. and Bayne P. 1997. An overview of the status and management of rock-wallabies (Petrogale) in New South Wales. Australian Mammalogy 19: 163 – 168. Eldridge M.D.B. and Close R. 1995. Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby Petrogale penicillata (Gray, 1925) in R. Strahan. The Mammals of Australia. Reed Books, Chatswood. Lunney D., Law B. and Rummery C. 1997. An ecological interpretation of the historical decline of the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby Petrogale penicillata in New South Wales. Australian Mammalogy 19: 281 – 296. Miller A.L. and Moss G.L. 1997. Population Management Plan for the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby (Petrogale penicillata) in the Warrumbungle National Park. Unpublished Report to the NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service. Moss G., Taylor D. and Miller A. 1997. Implementation of a monitoring program for the Brush- tailed Rock-wallaby (Petrogale penicillata) at the Warrumbungle National Park: Preliminary re- sults and recommendations. Unpublished Report to the NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service. Moss G., Miller A., Taylor D. and Gracie, J. 1999. The Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby (Petrogale penicillata) in the Warrumbungles: colony status based upon scat abundance. Unpublished Report to the NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service. NPWS. 1999. Atlas of NSW Wildlife. NPWS, Hurstville. NSW Scientific Committee. 1997. Final Determination. Short J. 1982. Habitat requirements of the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby, Petrogale penicillata, in New South Wales. Aust. Wildl. Res. 9: 239–46. Short J. 1989. The diet of the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby in New South Wales. Aust. Wildl. Res. 16: 11–18. Wong V. 1999. Attachment 6: Brush-tailed Rock-wallabies out west – a very brief overview of what’s happening with the Warrumbungles population for the April 1999 Workshop. In Cavanagh, M. (ed). Report of the Brush-tail Rock-wallaby Recovery Planning Workshop. NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service, Hurstville.
For further information contact Threatened Species Unit, Western Directorate, Phone 02 6886 5330. General Enquiries: 43 Bridge St Hurstville NSW 2220 Phone 1300 361 967 or 02 9585 6333 Web site www.npws.nsw.gov.au
Important Disclaimer While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service disclaims any responsibility or liability in relation to anything done or not done by anyone in reliance upon the publication’s content. Last amended 4 July 2003.