Trowunna Wildlife Park, Mole Creek
Macropods There are five species from the macropod family found in Tasmania are: kangaroos, wallabies, bettongs, pademelon and potoroos. Forester Kangaroos - Macropus giganteus tasmaniensis The Forester Kangaroo is the largest in Tasmania, and the second largest in the world. Males can reach up to 60 kg and can stand up to 2m tall. Colour varies from light brownish grey to grey. Forester Kangaroos (also known as Eastern Grey Kangaroos) differ from the other two species in having hair between the nostrils and upper lip. You may often hear them make clucking sounds amoungst themselves and give a guttural cough when alarmed. The Forester kangaroo is restricted to northeastern Tasmania and small areas in central Tasmania. The Mt William National Park in the northeast provides the opportunity to see these animals along 'Forester Drive'. A drive, or stroll along this road at dusk is most rewarding. The Forester has also been introduced to Maria Island National Park and Narawntapu National Park. Their preferred habitat is open grassy forests and woodlands of northeastern and central Tasmania. We have a population of around 36 happily free ranging around the park, that you can handfeed with our special pellets. Kangaroos don't like to be touched around the head or face but don't mind a pat on the back.
Bennetts Wallaby - Macropus rufogriseus The Bennetts wallaby, known as the red-neckedwallaby on mainland Australia, is one of the states's most commonly seen native animals. Visitors to most of our national parks are highly likely to encounter these animals during their stay. Often referred to as a kangaroo in Tasmania, males can weigh more than 20 kg and stand up to 1.5 m tall. They can be distinguished from the pademelon and kangaroo by their black nose and paws, and white stripe on the upper lip. Bennetts wallabies are found throughout the state, including the Bass Strait islands. They are abundant in Tasmania - their numbers and distribution having expanded over the past 30 years. This is due to a reduction in hunting pressure and the clearing of forest to result in a mosaic of pastures where wallabies can feed at night, alongside bushland where they can shelter by day. The majority of wallabies released in the park have been rescued (usually orphans from Roadkill).
Tasmanian Pademelon - Thylogale billardierii The pademelon is a stocky animal with a relatively short tail and legs to aid its movement through dense vegetation. It ranges in colour from dark-brown to grey-brown above and has a red-brown belly. Males, which are considerably larger than females, have a muscular chest and forearms, and reach up to 12 kg in weight and 1 - 1.2 m in overall length, including the tail. Females average 3.9 kg in weight. Pademelons are solitary and nocturnal, spending the hours of daylight in thick vegetation. Rainforest and wet forest is the preferred habitat, although wet gullies in dry open eucalypt forest are also used. Such habitat next to cleared areas where feeding can occur is especially favoured. After dusk, the animals move onto such open areas to feed, but rarely stray more than 100 metres from the security of the forest edge. This species is extinct on the mainland because of predation by foxes and large scale land clearance, although two other species occur along the east coast of the mainland. In Tasmania, however, the pademelon is both widespread and abundant. Although partially protected, hunting is allowed; its pelt is commercially valuable and the meat is palatable. The pademelons released in the park have also been rescued (usually orphans from Roadkill).
Bettong - Bettongia gaimardi Bettongs typically reach 2 kg in weight and are coloured brown-grey above and white below. The tail of the bettong is as long as the head and body while; in comparison, the tail of the potoroo is significantly shorter. The bettong is only found in the eastern half of Tasmania. It became extinct on the mainland in the early decades of the twentieth century, largely because of predation by foxes and large scale land clearance. The bettong remains moderately common in suitable habitat. However, both species have been affected by the clearing of bush areas, with new growth forest being less suitable for their needs. Little of the bettong's habitat is protected within reserves. With the highest densities occurring on private land, it is important that property owners manage remaining vegetation to allow the continued existence of the bettong. The species is wholly protected.
Potoroo - Potorous tridactylus Potoroos can reach up to 1.3 kg in weight and range in colour from red-brown on the west coast to grey on the east coast, with paler fur on the belly. Most individuals have a white tip at the end of their tail. The potoroo may also be identified by its darker colour, and its larger, more pointed nose which has a bare patch of skin above the nostrils. The species is widespread in Tasmania and are found on Flinders Island and Bruny Island. The potoroo is still found on the east coast of the mainland, where its range has decreased. The potoroo is common in suitable habitat. However, it can be affected by the clearing of bush areas, with new growth forest being less suitable for their needs. The species is wholly protected. |
