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Macropods include kangaroos and their relatives. They are native to Australia, Papua New Guinea and nearby islands, although the kangaroo and most wallaby species are uniquely Australian. But few people, even Australians, know much about kangaroos or about the diverse and intriguing animals they are. In fact, there were about fifty different species of macropod when the first white settlers arrived. Scientific opinion differs somewhat, but it is now generally accepted that there are only around forty species left. Thirty have suffered dramatic declines in range or populations. Six species are known to be extinct, with another four species extinct on the mainland. Less fourteen species are believed to have relatively stable populations.
Above left, Rufous bettong, and right, Yellowfooted rock wallaby. While most of the macropod family consists of wallabies or smaller animals such as bettongs, there are five species of large kangaroos. These are Reds, Eastern Greys, Western Greys, Wallaroos and Euros. 
Above left, Nailtailed Wallaby, and right, Pademelons. There are wallaroos and euros, tree kangaroos, wallabies, rock wallabies, hare wallabies, nailtailed wallabies, anomalous wallabies, pademelons, potoroos, bettongs and potoroids. Most of the smaller macropods have had their populations decimated by agriculture, (habitat loss) wild dogs, road kill, and foxes. Some, like the quokka, are secure on Islands, where they have become tourist attractions. Wallabies on other Islands, like the King and Flinders Island pademelons, are shot by farmers who begrudge them a little grass. Currently (2006) the Federal government has approved a Plan to shoot the King and Flinders Island pademelons, and send their skins to Italy to make fur coats. Hearings begin in May 2006.
Above left, a Blackstripe wallaby hops away, and right, a Tasmanian Bennetts wallaby and joey.
This unwarranted slaughter has outraged wildlife groups, who are appealing the Plan in the Federal Administrative Appeals Tribunal. Full details of the Appeal will appear on this website later as the Appeal progresses. 
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