What Are Wallabies Doing in Ireland? | Hacker News Reader

What Are Wallabies Doing in Ireland?

smithsonianmag.com

36 pointssamclemens13 comments

> "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#Intro... [2] http://archives.starbulletin.com/2007/08/18/news/whatever.ht... [3] http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/22589173/woman-snaps-pict...

That's a lot of inbreeding from a single pair.

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 :-)

That would make strolling he gardens an exciting adventure for any visitors as well.

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.

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

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.

Was hoping for more pictures of cute wallabies.

Rocko fancied a Gaelic holiday from his modern life?

Still mole-free though!

> What are Wallabies doing in Ireland?

Why warming up for their test match of course: http://www.rugby.com.au/wallabies/GameDay/2014Fixtures.aspx

I was seriously hoping this was a rugby thread on HN.

Playing Rugby? What else would they be doing?

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