The Black-flanked Rock-wallaby Petrogale lateralis lateralis was once widespread throughout the arid ranges of inland Australia and throughout Western Australia including the South-West and Avon Wheatbelt. Over the last one hundred years its range has greatly declined. The decline has been particularly significant in Western Australia and South Australia.
Predation by foxes and feral cats are thought to be the primary cause of population losses. Other factors such as degradation of habitats due to introduced camels, rabbits and buffel grass and changed fire regimes are likely to have also had a negative impact on the numbers and distribution of this species.
Only one confirmed population of Black-flanked Rock-wallabies remain in Western Australia’s Western Desert, in the Calvert Range. There is a real risk that an event such as wildfire or increased predation could cause the disappearance of Black-flanked Rock-wallabies from this area forever.
Listed as vulnerable under the Commonwealth Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, and ‘Rare or likely to become extinct’ under the Western Australian Wildlife Conservation Act 1950, the Black-flanked Rock-wallaby is in desperate need of help.
Foundation Projects to save Black-flanked Rock-wallabies
Black-flanked Rock-wallaby Translocation in Western Australia
In 2011, the Foundation is providing funds to assist in the translocation of Black-flanked Rock-wallabies in Western Australia to help establish a second population of this species.
