5 ms·

What Are Wallabies Doing in Ireland?

36 points by samclemens 12y ago

McKayDavis 12y ago
> "But Wilson says the population has steadily grown, and he estimates between 30 and 50 wallabies live on Lambay today." There's also a small population of Brush Tailed Rock Wallabies living in Kalihi valley on the island of O`ahui, Hawaii. The are descended from a pair that escaped from a private zoo in 1916 [1]. Estimates on the population vary, but the state estimated it reached as high as 75 animals in the 90's [2]. Occasionally someone will snap a photo of one, such as this one in 2013 [3]. [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brush-tailed_rock-wallaby#Introductions http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brush-tailed_rock-wallaby#Intro... [2] http://archives.starbulletin.com/2007/08/18/news/whatever.html http://archives.starbulletin.com/2007/08/18/news/whatever.ht... [3] http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/22589173/woman-snaps-picture-of-elusive-wallaby-on-likelike http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/22589173/woman-snaps-pict...
- drpgq 12y ago
  That's a lot of inbreeding from a single pair.
10098 12y ago
Was hoping for more pictures of cute wallabies.
justincormack 12y ago
There are wallabies in the UK, even one in London a while ago http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/wildlife/10396734/Wallaby-spotted-in-Highgate-Cemetery.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/wildlife/10396734/Wallaby-s...
tezza 12y ago
> What are Wallabies doing in Ireland? Why warming up for their test match of course: http://www.rugby.com.au/wallabies/GameDay/2014Fixtures.aspx http://www.rugby.com.au/wallabies/GameDay/2014Fixtures.aspx
- phillc73 12y ago
  I was seriously hoping this was a rugby thread on HN.
leoc 12y ago
Still mole-free though!
Sophistifunk 12y ago
Playing Rugby? What else would they be doing?
vkjv 12y ago
Rocko fancied a Gaelic holiday from his modern life?
ChuckMcM 12y ago
Drees says that human intervention is usually inevitable with an introduced exotic species. It’s just a matter of when that will be necessary. Aside from putting hay out, the humans on Lambay currently do very little to manage the wallaby population, apart from occasional culling when the population seems to be growing too rapidly. According to Jebb, they only take these measures when the animals encroach on the gardens. Time to introduce a couple of California cougars to the mix :-)
- codezero 12y ago
  That would make strolling he gardens an exciting adventure for any visitors as well.
grunter 12y ago
In the 1860's Governor George Grey owned Kawau Island in New Zealand. He imported numerous exotic plants and animals. Some of which included Zebra's, Antelopes, Monkeys and Wallabies. Only the Wallabies remain there today.
brc 12y ago
Kangaroos have no problem swimming a couple of miles. Not sure about wallabies though. Marsupials are generally good breeders so eventually there will need to be a cull, but because they aren't hooved herbivores some of the normal destructions doesn't happen, like with goats or pigs.

36 points by samclemens 12y ago

> "But Wilson says the population has steadily grown, and he estimates between 30 and 50 wallabies live on Lambay today." There's also a small population of Brush Tailed Rock Wallabies living in Kalihi valley on the island of O`ahui, Hawaii. The are descended from a pair that escaped from a private zoo in 1916 [1]. Estimates on the population vary, but the state estimated it reached as high as 75 animals in the 90's [2]. Occasionally someone will snap a photo of one, such as this one in 2013 [3]. [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brush-tailed_rock-wallaby#Introductions http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brush-tailed_rock-wallaby#Intro... [2] http://archives.starbulletin.com/2007/08/18/news/whatever.html http://archives.starbulletin.com/2007/08/18/news/whatever.ht... [3] http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/22589173/woman-snaps-picture-of-elusive-wallaby-on-likelike http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/22589173/woman-snaps-pict...

drpgq 12y ago
That's a lot of inbreeding from a single pair.

10098 12y ago

Was hoping for more pictures of cute wallabies.

justincormack 12y ago

There are wallabies in the UK, even one in London a while ago http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/wildlife/10396734/Wallaby-spotted-in-Highgate-Cemetery.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/wildlife/10396734/Wallaby-s...

tezza 12y ago

> What are Wallabies doing in Ireland? Why warming up for their test match of course: http://www.rugby.com.au/wallabies/GameDay/2014Fixtures.aspx http://www.rugby.com.au/wallabies/GameDay/2014Fixtures.aspx

phillc73 12y ago
I was seriously hoping this was a rugby thread on HN.

leoc 12y ago

Still mole-free though!

Sophistifunk 12y ago

Playing Rugby? What else would they be doing?

vkjv 12y ago

Rocko fancied a Gaelic holiday from his modern life?

ChuckMcM 12y ago

Drees says that human intervention is usually inevitable with an introduced exotic species. It’s just a matter of when that will be necessary. Aside from putting hay out, the humans on Lambay currently do very little to manage the wallaby population, apart from occasional culling when the population seems to be growing too rapidly. According to Jebb, they only take these measures when the animals encroach on the gardens. Time to introduce a couple of California cougars to the mix :-)

codezero 12y ago
That would make strolling he gardens an exciting adventure for any visitors as well.

grunter 12y ago

In the 1860's Governor George Grey owned Kawau Island in New Zealand. He imported numerous exotic plants and animals. Some of which included Zebra's, Antelopes, Monkeys and Wallabies. Only the Wallabies remain there today.

brc 12y ago

Kangaroos have no problem swimming a couple of miles. Not sure about wallabies though. Marsupials are generally good breeders so eventually there will need to be a cull, but because they aren't hooved herbivores some of the normal destructions doesn't happen, like with goats or pigs.