BRIDLED NAILTAIL WALLABY
(Onychogalea fraenata)  

Description
Bridled Nailtail Wallaby is grey in colour with a white 'bridle' line running from the centre of the neck down behind the forearm on each side of the body and has a horny pointed 'nail' on the tip of its tail. Head/body length is up to 700mm (males) and 540mm (females). Adult specimens vary in size from 4 to 8 kg.

Distribution
Although once widespread on the slopes and plains to the west of the Great Dividing Range in semi-arid inland, it is now only known as a small, single population on a reserve near Dingo in central Queensland. This population is closely managed by the Queensland National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Conservation Status and Threats
The Bridled Nailtail Wallaby was thought to be extinct until 1973, when it was recognised near Dingo, as there had been no confirmed sightings for 42 years.

The Bridled Nailtail Wallaby is classified as endangered and the most likely cause of its decline in recent years is habitat destruction by the pastoral industry. It is difficult however to isolate any single cause for its decline as the loss in numbers has been so rapid. Other causes are likely to be predation by foxes and feral cats and competition with rabbits. The dingo is another threat to the Bridled Nailtail Wallaby. Dingoes have been removed from the only remaining Bridled Nailtail Wallaby reserve in central Queensland to ensure the remaining population's survival.

Diet
The Bridled Nailtail Wallaby both grazes and browses. It eats both flowering plants and grass in roughly equal proportions.

General Information
The population at Dingo exhibits a preference for scrub sedges, sheltering during the day in the shrubland and grazing from evening to early morning in grassy woodland.

During the day, the Bridled Nailtail Wallaby rests in a slightly dished patch of bare ground scratched out beside a bush or tree. It commences to feed around dusk. It is usually a solitary animal but females may have young at heel and congregations of up to four or five animals are not uncommon.

When in danger it may seek refuge in hollow logs, it can also avoid detection by lying prone in long grass or by crawling out of sight under low shrubs where it remains even when closely approached.

Proposed Research
A group of wallabies has been established at Western Plains Zoo as insurance against loss of population. It is proposed to develop techniques for assisted reproduction and storage of eggs, sperm and embryos to improve genetic management of the species.

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