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Dusky pademelon
The dusky pademelon is a small forest‑dwelling wallaby native to New Guinea and northeastern Australia, where it inhabits tropical forests and dense forest edges. Compact and shy, this species has a dark brown to grey coat with paler underparts, helping it blend seamlessly into the thick undergrowth it relies on for cover.
At Newquay Zoo, six dusky pademelons live in the collection, including two males, four females, and a young joey born in 2025. You can find them in a mixed species exhibit with our palma wallabies, opposite the meerkats.
Class:
Mammals
Order:
Diprotodontia
Family:
Macropodidae
About the dusky pademelon
As a herbivore, the dusky pademelon feeds on leaves, grasses, shoots, and other soft plant material. Its strong hind legs and sturdy tail help it move quietly through the forest, often foraging at dawn and dusk when temperatures are cooler and predators are less active.
Dusky pademelons are generally solitary, though they may gather in small loose groups, especially around feeding sites. Mothers carry their young, known as joeys, in their pouch for around a month before they begin to explore the world outside.
Conservation
The dusky pademelon is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. While it remains relatively widespread, populations in parts of New Guinea and northeastern Australia are affected by habitat loss and local hunting. Forest clearance for agriculture and human settlement reduces available habitat, although some populations remain stable within protected areas. Regional conservation measures focus on habitat protection and regulating hunting to support long‑term population security.