Rare spectacled hare-wallaby spotted with camera trap in WA

An extremely rare type of hare-wallaby that had not been spotted in the Kimberleys for a decade has been photographed with a camera trap.

The spectacled hare-wallaby, named after its distinguished orange fur around the eyes, was last seen at Yawuru’s Roebuck Plains Station near Broome in 2004 and had since been feared extinct in the area.

As part of research into the previous sighting, Yawuru Country Managers and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Australia strategically placed sensor cameras in a region near Broome that captured two creatures in their evening habitat.

The species is at risk from extreme weather threats like droughts bushfires and introduced predators and grazing.

Yawuru managers and WWF Australia remain vigilant in monitoring the species and address key threats to ensure the population of the hare-wallaby is devoid from extinction.

“We need to keep a close eye on the threats to this rare and fascinating animal so we get the right information to help it survive into the future,” WWF Australia spokesperson Alexander Watson said.

Although the spectacled hare-wallaby is considered a near threatened species in the Kimberley region, the population is widespread throughout other areas in the northern Australia region.

However, the species is still considered to be near threatened and in decline across the country.