Rare wallaby joey born at David Fleay’s
A rare bridled nail-tailed wallaby joey has been born at David Fleay’s, spotlighting endangered species care.
What’s Happening?
A bridled nail-tailed wallaby joey has been born at David Fleay Wildlife Park in Burleigh Heads.
The joey has joined the park’s bridled nail-tailed wallaby population.
David Fleay’s is the only place in the world where visitors can see the species up close.
The new arrival also gives visitors a closer look at conservation work happening behind the scenes.
The Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation is sharing the story for Endangered Species Day on 15 May 2026.
Director of Gateway Visitor Centres Steve Briant said the first joey born at the park this year was already emerging from its mother’s pouch.
“We’re excited to celebrate the first joey being born this year and we hope to welcome more joeys in the future,” Steve Briant said.
“Our rangers share the wallaby conservation story with visitors who have probably never heard of this unique endangered species before.”
Why It Matters?
The bridled nail-tailed wallaby is one of Queensland’s most endangered marsupials.
The species was thought to be extinct for more than 30 years.
It was found again in central Queensland in 1973.
Today, conservation work is helping protect the remaining populations.
The Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation is part of the Bridled Nail-tailed Wallaby Recovery Team.
The team helps protect and preserve the species for future generations.
Senior Conservation Officer John Augusteyn said the joey’s birth was a chance to show the work being done.
“Taunton National Park (Scientific), located in central Queensland, plays a vital role in protecting the bridled nail-tailed wallaby,” John Augusteyn said.
“Our conservation efforts are underpinned by years of adaptive management and evidence-based decision-making, highlighting the importance of our ongoing research.”
By the Numbers
The figures show how rare the species remains, and why long-term care matters.
More than 30 years: The bridled nail-tailed wallaby was thought to be extinct for this long before it was found again in 1973.
About 1,500 wallabies: This is the estimated population in Taunton National Park (Scientific), Australia’s only remaining naturally occurring wild population.
25 years: The translocated population at Avocet Nature Refuge has been managed since it was established in 2001.
Local Impact
The joey’s birth gives David Fleay Wildlife Park a rare educational role.
Visitors at Burleigh Heads can learn about an endangered Queensland species in person.
The park’s display population helps connect families, students and wildlife lovers with a wider conservation story.
It also helps explain why protected habitats and predator control remain important.
Zoom In
The joey is the first bridled nail-tailed wallaby born at David Fleay’s this year.
It is already emerging from its mother’s pouch.
The park’s rangers use the wallaby population to teach visitors about the species.
That education matters because many visitors may never have heard of the animal before.
The conservation story also links Burleigh Heads with central Queensland.
Taunton National Park (Scientific) remains central to the species’ survival.
Zoom Out
The species now has several managed populations beyond Taunton.
In Queensland, a translocated population was established at Avocet Nature Refuge in 2001.
That population has been managed successfully for the past 25 years.
Three populations have also been established in New South Wales.
All of these wallabies trace back to Taunton.
John Augusteyn said long-term management and predator control were producing strong results.
“By combining long-term management strategies and integrated predator control, we’ve seen remarkable results in the wild population at Taunton, demonstrating our commitment to protecting Queensland’s endangered species.”
What To Look For Next?
David Fleay Wildlife Park hopes to welcome more joeys in the future.
For visitors, the new joey adds another reason to learn about this rare Queensland marsupial and the work protecting it.