Macropus, Petrogale, Wallabia spp.

Wallaby

Family: Macropodidae

Origin: Australia

Wallaby sitting next to a tree stump.
Wallabies are a significant farm pest and damage native plants.

Regional Pest Management Plan (RPMP) status

  • Kawau — Eradication
  • Whole region — Sustained control
  • Hauraki Gulf Controlled Area Notice pest

View more about the RPMP statuses

General description

Medium-sized, semi-nocturnal marsupial mammal. Large hind legs used for jumping and kicking, tail used for support and balance.

What you need to know

To help protect our environment:

  • You must not breed, distribute, release or sell any wallaby within the Auckland region.

Habitats

Forest, scrub, pasture, plantations, edge habitats.

Impact on environment

Selectively browses on native forest seedlings, destroys forest understorey and damages newly planted pine plantation. Competes with livestock for pasture, resulting in large production losses in the sheep and beef industry.

Control

Management

If you see a wallaby anywhere in the Auckland region other than Kawau Island, please report it to Auckland Council at pestfree@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.

A wallaby munching on something white.
Wallaby’s damage native forests.