:quality(80))
Parma wallaby
The Parma wallaby is a small, shy macropod native to eastern Australia, where it inhabits moist forests and the edges of woodlands. Once thought to be extinct, it was rediscovered in the 1960s, and its elusive nature still makes it difficult to observe in the wild. Its grey‑brown upperparts, paler underbelly, and dark dorsal stripe help it blend into dappled forest light.
You can find our Parma wallabies living in a mixed species exhibit with our pademelons, opposite the meerkats.
Class:
Mammalia
Order:
Diprotodontia
Family:
Macropodidae
About the Parma wallaby
These wallabies are herbivores, feeding on grasses, leaves, and other low vegetation. They typically forage during the early morning and evening, using dense cover to stay hidden during the heat of the day. Their strong hind legs and long tail help them move swiftly through thick undergrowth.
Parma wallabies often live in small groups of around 5 to 20 individuals, although they may also be seen alone. Females give birth to a single joey after a short gestation, with the young continuing to develop safely in the pouch for several months.
Conservation
The Parma wallaby is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, but populations in eastern Australia face ongoing threats from habitat fragmentation and road mortality. As forests are cleared or broken into smaller patches, these small wallabies become more vulnerable to predators and vehicle collisions. Conservation measures focus on habitat protection, safe wildlife corridors, and population monitoring to ensure long‑term stability in the wild.