Outstanding species-saving work by Perth Zoo

The Western Swamp Tortoise, once thought to be extinct,  is one of the the most endangered Australian reptiles. Breeding them for release in protected habitats in the wild is helping to boost their numbers.

Population numbers for the Numbat, Western Swamp Tortoise, Hairy Marron and White-bellied Frogs are set to rise thanks to a recent baby boom at Perth Zoo.

This new generation of endangered and critically endangered icons is being raised behind the scenes at Perth Zoo through the collaborative Native Species Breeding Program.

This season, 39 critically endangered Western Swamp Tortoises and 94 critically endangered Hairy Marron have hatched.

Meanwhile, seven endangered Numbat joeys have been born with four of the young being prepared for a wild release later this year. Perth Zoo is the only zoological institution in the world to breed these native marsupials, and since 1993, more than 321 have been bred and released into the wild.

In the South West, 70 zoo-reared, critically endangered White-bellied Frogs have been released recently to bolster fragile populations.

The zoo’s collaborative breeding programs work to safeguard some of Western Australia’s most vulnerable native species, bringing them back from the brink of extinction. Since the program’s inception 29 years ago, more than 5,000 Perth Zoo-bred or reared animals from 11 different species have been released back into wild habitats.

Perth Zoo science staff work with conservation managers in the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, and with other partners across Australia to release zoo-born animals into safe wild habitat.