Bennett's Wallabies are one of the most common small mammals to see in US Zoos. However, other Wallaby species seem to be few and far between. Tammars are certainly out there at a few facilities, and Parma, Swamp, and Yellow-spotted Rock Wallabies at a minimum are all present in even smaller numbers. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like any of the non-Bennett's Wallabies are around in large numbers, which is a real shame in my opinion, as they are some really awesome species, many of which I'd say are cuter than the ubiquitous Bennett's Wallabies. Is an increase of non-bennett's wallabies in US Zoos foreseeable, or even feasible? I sure hope that keeping multiple Wallaby species in US Zoos stays a reality, but it looks like that may not be the case for much longer. What Wallaby species other than Bennett's may remain in the US long-term, given current trends in US Zoo populations?
Future of Non-Bennett's Wallabies in US Zoos?
I found some stats on the AZA macropod population in a quote from @TZFan in this thread: Rare in zoos, wallabies and kangaroos
The data is a little outdated (being from 2016), but it may still be helpful in analyzing AZA wallaby populations today.
The data is a little outdated (being from 2016), but it may still be helpful in analyzing AZA wallaby populations today.
Interesting. I certainly wish more Wallaby species were common in US Zoos. Parma Wallabies have a long history in US Zoos, with my local zoo of Roger Williams actually being one of the first holders back in the 1960's, and they then held them up until 8 or so years ago. Wish they still had the species today. The second species that I'd wish to see at more Zoos is the Yellow Footed Rock Wallaby. Such a unique looking species, and one rather different from many of the other Wallaby species present in the country. At a minimum if like to see these two species have increased populations again, in addition to the Bennett's. It's also important to note both of those species are of greater conservation value than the Least Concern Bennett's.
Zoo Tampa has had Yellow Footed since they opened the Wallaroo station, IIRC. The yard is now a decidedly mediocre mix habitat with emu.
Most of the wallaby species are mostly being kept in the private trade. Yellow-footed Rock Wallaby is probably the only captive species in danger of disappearing in the region, and even that species should do fine if the management goes well.
How common are parmas in the private trade? I thought they were also an AZA only one. I do know there are a few private places with huge mobs of Swamp Wallabies.
Parma I'm not sure if it is around privately now that I think about it - Swamp and Tammar definitely are,
If there were privately-owned Parmas that recently, then there still are.
King of Komodo Dragons
Well-Known Member
San Antonio has Yellow-Footed Rock Wallabies again, so some hope that there is hope for this species in AZA zoos
Lincoln Park had parma long ago and I can't see them returning to the zoo but they were a fun addition to Small Mammal-Reptile House. I'd love the chance to see them again.
Yellow-footed rock wallaby are a bucket list species as well from before I knew the zoo population. Just such an interesting coloration.
I'm not familiar with the Reston Zoo story, my attention is certainly piqued as to how a parma wallaby lands one in prison!
Yellow-footed rock wallaby are a bucket list species as well from before I knew the zoo population. Just such an interesting coloration.
I'm not familiar with the Reston Zoo story, my attention is certainly piqued as to how a parma wallaby lands one in prison!
https://www.washingtonpost.com/loca...b80c34-09b5-11e2-858a-5311df86ab04_story.html
It's... kinda graphic. Reader discretion is advised.
Aren’t Parma wallabies and Yellow-footed Rock wallabies harder to obtain due to their ESA listing? Sure zoos can put up with paperwork if they have to but if they are looking for “just a wallaby” I am sure that most curators will choose species that are easier to obtain over something that you have to jump through hoops for.
Having spoken with some people that are incredibly "in the know" with all things captive macropod, most populations will start to suffer greatly (if they aren't already) in the next 5-10 years. Most have very few founders and are incredibly inbred, with the effects of this starting to show. It's a shame, as some exports could really help some of the populations if the aussie gov were to allow it.
Dredging this back up to ask: does anyone know what happened with San Diego's mob of Yellow-footed Rock Wallabies? A USDA report from 2016 shows them having 17 animals, then only 6 in 2018 and then zero in future reports. I know they were once exhibited in the area that has become Africa Rocks, were they simply phased out due to lack of space or did the population crash for some reason?
With Living Desert now being the only breeding facility, I'm wondering if the leftovers from San Diego and Sacramento were consolidated there - since that zoo phased the species in around the same time those two zoos stopped holding them.
With Living Desert now being the only breeding facility, I'm wondering if the leftovers from San Diego and Sacramento were consolidated there - since that zoo phased the species in around the same time those two zoos stopped holding them.
Around 2018 a number of wallabies were exported to Europe as the population was falling here, the idea being might as well help the more stable population in Europe. One of the larger holding facilities here stopped breeding them (I think it was something to the effect of being unable to place them out, but I don't know for sure) and subsequently the population started declining. I would be extremely surprised to see them rebound at this point, sad to say.