Threatened species, Snowy River National Park

WU Team
21 August 2025
2:06 pm
0 comments

Joeys bring joy to Little River Gorge

Wildlife Unlimited field ecologists are jumping for joy this year after detecting 13 Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby (BTRW) joeys during the autumn camera survey at Little River Gorge in the Snowy River National Park.

The population has been in decline since the 2019-20 bushfires, mainly owing to low survival of pouch-emerging joeys (presumed due to predation by foxes or cats). There are now 55 known BTRW individuals in the population, up from an estimated 42 in 2024.

Field ecologist Rena Gaborov retrieving a camera from Little River Gorge_RBartlett

Field ecologists collected BTRW scat during camera deployment and retrieval. Scat samples have been sent away for genetic analysis and it is hoped these will provide sufficient DNA to corroborate our population estimate. This method is less invasive than tissue sampling, which requires trapping of animals and a biopsy to be taken.

We’ve also achieved another milestone this year – Wildlife Unlimited coordinated a successful translocation of five captive-bred BTRW from the Mt Rothwell Sanctuary to Little River Gorge in July. More details to follow shortly!

Brush-tailed Rock Wallabies lucerne lure_Reconyx

Wildlife Unlimited and Parks Victoria staff collecting cameras as a team_WBourke

Photos. Top: Field ecologist Rena Gaborov retrieving a camera from Little River Gorge (photo by Rachael Bartlett). Above left: Brush-tailed Rock-wallabies enjoying the last of a lucerne lure in a haynet. Above right: Wildlife Unlimited and Parks Victoria staff collecting cameras (photo by Willow Bourke).