2007 in Review

2007 has been a busy, challenging and rewarding year for us at Waterfall Springs with some great achievements to report on our involvement in the road to recovery for both the ‘central and southern form’ Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby.

Following on from stage one of our recovery program for this species which focused on the construction of habitats, infrastructure development and animal recruitment we have now progressed into stage two of our captive breeding program. This involves growing our base group of 16 breeding animals to a size of 50 animals in three years and sustaining a genetically sound population at this size to support the state managed release program where successfully bred off-spring will eventually be reintroduced back into the wild.

The year in review included:

Recruitment of valuable new wild stock for the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby (BTRW) ‘central form’ breeding program. The successful trapping mission was conducted by Waterfall Springs and the NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) using the Waterfall Springs newly invented trapping and monitoring device.

Successful breeding this season of ‘central’ Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby has increased the Waterfall Springs population to 17. A number of females now producing their second offspring.

Successful transfer of breeding stock to partner organisations including Taronga Zoo (4 BTRW) and Western Plains Zoo (4 BTRW).

Participation in the NSW DECC Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby translocation program.

The Waterfall Springs Kawau Island captive population are now all with pouch young.

Securing of $41,300 funding from the Australian Envirofund.

Official recognition from TAFE for Waterfall Springs’ first hand contribution to the Captive Animals and Veterinary Nursing education programs.

The priority objective for Waterfall Springs in 2008 is to secure essential funding to improve and expand our existing facilities in order to take our breeding program for the ‘central form’ Brush-tailed Rock-wallabies to its next level. We will continue our efforts to successfully breed our ‘southern form’ Brush-tailed Rock-wallabies to support the Victorian BTRW Recovery Team and continue to provide breeding animals to support our partner organisations breeding programs for this species.

We would like to sincerely thank our sponsors and donors who have provided critical monies that have enabled us to continue our ground breaking work on developing innovative breeding technologies and systems to realise our mission of helping to save and successfully regenerate endangered rock-wallaby species.

On behalf of the Waterfall Springs Foundation – we look forward to another exciting and successful year in our efforts to make a difference and conserve our precious wildlife.