Red-Necked Wallabies (Notamacropus rufogriseus) escaped into the Ballaugh Curragh in the north of the Isle of Man (IOM) in the 1960s from the Curraghs Wildlife Park (Ref: Isle of Man: The mystery of the wild wallabies | ITV News Granada October 2021). They are a large non-native animal, which originate from South-East Australia and Tasmania, but have adapted well to the Isle of Man's cooler climate. Wallabies do have a legal status on the Isle of Man, as Tynwald has listed the Red-necked Wallaby on Schedule 8 of the Wildlife Act 1990 meaning that it is an offence to release or allow a wallaby to escape into the wild.
There are different, and polarised views, in the Isle of Man on the relative benefits or negative impacts of wallabies, and consequently about what we should do as an Island with ‘our wallabies’? Views range greatly from “cull them all” or “fence them in”, to “make them a headline visitor attraction” and “recognise them as a useful conservation grazing animal”. On the plus side, as our largest land animal, they attract much interest from local people and tourists, they are arguably now a part of Manx culture and could be a stronger part of our Island’s visitor offer. On the downside they are non-natives, eat native plants, impact our habitats, and unrestricted growth their numbers and distribution might cause long-term harm to the IOM’s ecology, agriculture, carbon sequestration efforts and rural economy. They also create a potential risk to road users, including motor sport.
MWT believe there are three options going forward: a) Eradication; b) Management; c) No Action. To determine which of the options should be pursued we need to gather more evidence from an ecological, social, and economic perspective, and to do this will require expertise from a wider base. There are strong and differing views in the IOM, and therefore we advocate the need for scientifically gathered empirical evidence, to add to the current anecdotal information. The table below sets out the known facts, the key issues, and what we would like to know to move the discussion forward. MWT have commenced small scale research, however wider support would help assess the situation more quickly and identify appropriate options.
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What We Know |
The Key Issues |
What We Want to Know |
How We Will Find Out |
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Red-Necked Wallabies have been living free in the IOM since 1960s: BBC - Wallabies have run free on the Island for 50 years |
The wallabies have (by stealth) become a part of the IOM landscape and culture, but we currently have no IOM policy or management plan for them. |
What does the IOM population think about wallabies? Are they an asset? Are they part of Manx culture now? Do we need an agreed management plan? What should that look like? |
Following the publication of scientific data listed below, a survey of key stakeholders, (including MWT members) and an IOM Wallaby Symposium (inclusive panel event) to hear wider views. |
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The population has expanded since the 1960s and sightings have spread across the IOM. |
The population is potentially increasing to an unsustainable level. If the numbers get too high, then grazing could have adverse effects and they could out compete other species.
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How many wallabies are there in the IOM? What is their distribution across the IOM? What is their ecological impact? |
A public social media and citizen science campaign to record sightings of wallabies, particularly sightings of multiple animals. Use of remote sensing to achieve counts in known hotspots.
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Control of the population might be required in the future. |
We do not know the logistical, financial, welfare, social and technological implications. |
Do we need to control numbers? How much do management options cost? Will they work? What have other countries done? |
Feasibility studies in key areas need to be conducted, with benchmarking against other countries. |
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The gene pool within the population is narrow. |
Inbreeding has potentially resulted in an unhealthy population (e.g., blindness) and poor animal welfare. |
What is the genetic variability and health of the IOM Wallaby population? |
Potential research project linked to BIAZA, EAZA and/or a UK university with a zoology department. |
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Wallabies eat native flora; change the natural habitats they live in and have an impact on IOM ecology |
Wallabies could be having a significant negative impact on IOM flora and fauna and if this isn’t checked Manx Nature will be damaged in the long term. |
What precisely are wallabies eating? What impact are they having on IOM habitats and ecology? Are they a beneficial grazing animal? |
DNA analysis of wallaby dung to determine plant species consumed. A full ecological impact assessment (ECIA) must be made, and long-term monitoring established. |
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Road Traffic Risks Ref: Wallabies have caused a string of police incidents on the Isle of Man (inews.co.uk) |
The risk of road accidents might increase. Potential impact on motor sport. |
How many incidents have there been?
What is the likely risk to IOM motor users? |
Analysis of IOM road accident data; Survey of key stakeholders; and a public social media and citizen science campaign. |