Hidden cameras monitor brush-tailed rock wallaby colony in real time

Hidden cameras are being used to monitor the brush-tailed rock wallaby population in real time following the Black Summer bushfires — with some fascinating results including fights among the colony.

A brush-tailed rock wallaby caught on camera. Picture: National Parks NSW

It’s like watching Big Brother Uncut with punch-ups and cosy embraces, only the stars being live-streamed are members of the endangered brush-tailed rock wallaby population.

With much of the species’ known habitat destroyed by the “black summer” bushfires, wildlife authorities were concerned at whether the species would survive.

However, recent surveys have shown emergency lucerne, sweet potato and carrot drops along with one of the largest pest eradication programs ever undertaken by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) in the aftermath helped.

As part of the ongoing rescue mission, authorities have now installed hidden cameras in remote bushland to enable one of the key wallaby colonies to be monitored in real time.

The cameras have been placed within Oxley Wild Rivers National Park, near Port Macquarie, where some of the most intense fires occurred, with the live-stream able to be viewed from dusk until dawn by the public.

One of the wallabies in the national park. Picture: National Parks NSW

Test screenings have already proved entertaining for wildlife officers, who want to learn more about the species without interfering in their day to day activities.

NPWS Saving our Species senior project officer Adam Fawcett said the live-stream offered the public the only opportunity to get a close-up look at the wallabies, which preferred to live in remote and rugged terrain.

“During camera testing, it’s been captivating to watch the wallabies going about their day,” Mr Fawcett said.

“A mother and juvenile wallaby are regulars on this colony, with the juvenile slowly being weened.

“There have been some fascinating interactions between them including a couple of serious punch-ups when the juvenile is being refused pouch access.

“We’ve also watched them sitting together in a close embrace for long periods of time. Technology and community engagement are such vital parts of conservation work, so it’s fantastic for them to come together in this project to help us monitor and protect our native species.”

One of the wallabies resting on rocks. Picture: National Parks NSW

The wallabies are being live-streamed. Picture: National Parks NSW

Mr Fawcett said the cameras would enable scientists to see who the wallabies adapted to the changing environment.

Brush-tailed rock wallabies were once found from southeast Queensland to the Grampians in western Victoria, but the loss of habitat has resulted in fragmented populations.

The existing colonies took another hit with the 2019-20 fires, which burnt more than 80 per cent of known brush-tailed rock-wallaby habitat.

The installation of the cameras comes ahead of an annual survey of the 48 colonies that occur in the park, with the count to take place over April-May this year.

Last year’s post-bushfire survey found all of the colonies surveyed had areas of burnt habitat.

However, 90 surviving individuals were found, including one that wildlife officers had been sighting over 11 years and several young that were likely to have been in the pouch when the fires hit.

The live-stream is live from 6am to 8pm daily, with the best time to view at dusk or dawn. nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/brush-tailed-rock-wallaby-cam