An emergency relocation project designed to save endangered Brush-tail Rock wallabies has been carried out in Warrumbungle National Park near Bugaldie.  

A team of scientists, park managers, species experts, and veterinarians worked together to have 12 Brush-tailed Rock-wallabies carefully transported via helicopter to the purpose-built Mount Uringery sanctuary, a 303 hectare area free of feral foxes and cats.  

Image from the DCCEEW

Planning for this relocation effort started in 2022. 

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) began by creating the fence and supporting infrastructure, then making the area predator free, before relocating the rock wallabies.

Feral foxes and cats are the main predators of the native rock-wallaby, with feral cats alone estimated to kill over 1.5 billion native animals annually. 

This predator-free sanctuary is a long-term conservation project, part of NPWS' commitment to zero extinctions in NSW national parks.

The rock wallabies will be monitored through a system of camera traps as well as the tracking of individuals using collars.

It is hoped the secure predator-free environment will give the wild rock-wallaby population the chance to recover. 

Image from the DCCEEW

Deputy Secretary of NSW NPWS Atticus Fleming, praised the translocation effort.   

"This project is about saving an important population from extinction. It has been a huge logistical exercise carried out by dedicated NPWS staff, scientists and vets who are determined to save and rebuild the Warrumbungle population," he said.

"The Warrumbungles is one of our great inland national parks and we are determined to ensure this spectacular landscape remains home to its unique population of rock-wallabies. 

"The establishment of feral cat and fox free areas is a critical step towards achieving zero extinctions and restoring ecosystems across our national parks."  

Image from the DCCEEW