Aussie Ark officially opens new Brush-tailed Rock wallaby enclosures at Barrington Tops

Conservation organisation Aussie Ark has officially opened its new Brush-tailed Rock wallaby enclosures at their Barrington Tops facility.

Six new enclosures have been built to supplement the breeding program, which has been running successfully for over four years. Each enclosure is designed to house a breeding pair of the endangered marsupials, with each resulting joey a precious addition to the ‘insurance population’ cared for by the organisation.

Sponsors, partners and dignitaries gathered at the Ark to celebrate the official opening, including Dr Kerry Cameron, senior adviser of the federal government Office of Threatened Species Commissioner Dr Fiona Fraser.

Dr Cameron noted “Brush-tailed Rock wallabies have important biodiversity values and cultural values, and we just can’t afford to lose this natural, cultural heritage from Australia.

“Once this species has gone we can’t get it back. So Aussie Ark’s work is critically important.”

Director on Aussie Ark’s Board Brad Walker helped cut the red ribbon to officially open the facility and shared “How could you not love this facility? How could you not love the meaning and the importance of such a facility for the conservation of animals?

“I think more than ever the only way we’re going to preserve and conserve animals into the future is to have champions for animals. Tim Faulkner the Aussie Ark crew are certainly champions for animals. It’s a big responsibility…and they’re up for it!”

A highlight of the official opening was the arrival of a new Brush-tailed Rock wallaby male from Featherdale Wildlife Park. The male is at prime breeding age and provides vitally important ‘fresh blood’ to the genetic pool of Aussie Ark’s breeding program.

Two females born and bred at the Ark were also introduced to the new enclosures. And making a guest appearance was famous hand-raised joey Rocket (pictured above)with carer Operations Manager Dean Reid. One of the new enclosures will one day be Rocket’s new home.

Aussie Ark Managing Director Tim Faulkner said the opening of the enclosures marked another ‘giant leap’ for the organisation, as well as the future of this endangered species.

“The Brush-tailed Rock wallaby is one of our signature species, and we're very proud of these enclosures," Faulkner said. "And the enclosures being opened today are best considered a ‘halfway house’. This is where wallabies live and breed, so that we have extra wallabies to return them to sanctuaries and the wild.”

Aussie Ark thanked their major partners Re:wild, FAME, Glencore, Wires, Australian Geographic, the Australian Reptile Park, NSW and Federal Government.

Head to www.aussieark.org.au/ to support Aussie Ark and their conservation efforts for the Brush-tailed Rock wallaby.