Jenolan’s Brush-tailed Rock-wallabies: August Update

The NSW Government’s Saving our Species (SoS) program continues to deliver incredible results for threatened species conservation. One of its greatest success stories is unfolding at Jenolan Caves, a priority site for the endangered Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby, a species that was once common across NSW but suffered severe declines due to fox predation and habitat loss.

Back in 1999, the Jenolan population had plummeted to just seven animals. Today, thanks to more than two decades of dedicated feral predator control by NPWS and Jenolan staff, the colony has made a remarkable recovery. During the latest monitoring in August 2025, the minimum number of wallabies confirmed was 200, with estimates suggesting the population now exceeds 250 individuals. This is a spectacular turnaround for a species that was on the brink of local extinction. Other threatened species at the site, including spotted-tailed quolls and koalas, have also benefited from ongoing efforts to control foxes, wild dogs, feral pigs and cats.

Monitoring at Jenolan is a long-standing commitment, carried out twice a year for over 25 years. Each survey spans three days, with 50 cage traps set across the colony. Captured wallabies undergo comprehensive health checks by NPWS threatened species officers and vets from Taronga Zoo. New individuals are microchipped and have genetic samples collected, building a detailed picture of population health and growth over time.

The August 2025 results are a powerful reminder of what sustained conservation action can achieve. From seven animals to more than 250, the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby’s comeback at Jenolan is a triumph for threatened species recovery in NSW.

Special thanks to: NPWS, DCCEEW, Saving our Species project, JCRT and Taronga Zoo

August 2025 data supplied by Michaela Jones - Threatened Species Team at NPWS

Images: Dr Anne Musser