A new quokka population has been spotted in the Perth Hills

A local organisation has discovered a new quokka population on the WA mainland!

The discovery was made by Aboriginal-led charity Bibbul Ngarma Aboriginal Association Inc (BNAA), as part of the BoorYul-Bah-Bilya program. An initiative aimed at improving the health of local waterways through community and cultural engagement, volunteers identified the quokkas during a Conservation Audit assessing the health of the Mandoon Bilya (Helena River) catchment.

As reported today by the National Indigenous Times, this is the first time that the general public has photographed quokkas in the Perth Hills.

Famously associated with Rottnest Island / Wadjemup, quokka populations are also known to exist in the South West and Great Southern’s forests. Previously thriving populations in these areas have dwindled for a variety of reasons, including predation by foxes and cats and land clearing – which, along with increased bushfire intensity and reduced rainfall, remain ongoing threats to mainland quokkas. While extensive research has been done on Wadjemup’s quokka population, beloved by tourists, locals and even celebrities, less is known about mainland quokkas.

“The discovery of these quokkas on Whadjuk Boodja demonstrates the importance of community-led programs like BoorYul-Bah-Bilya,” said BNAA Chairperson, Walter McGuire.

“As Noongar Traditional Owners, we have the language, stories, and knowledge to look after this land as we have done since time began. Through BoorYul-Bah-Bilya, we will do everything we can to ensure that quokkas do not become another in a long list of our extinct or endangered native animals.”

“We hope that this important discovery will help to strengthen efforts to protect mainland quokkas and other threatened native species that are under constant threat from land clearing, fires, feral predators and our changing climate,” added BNAA Director, Francesca Flynn. “I acknowledge the huge effort of BoorYul-Bah-Bilya volunteers, including Tim Blake, who has purchased fauna cameras and dedicated many volunteer hours.”