Gilbert's Potoroo
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Gilbert's Potoroo[1] | ||||||||||||||||
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Potorous gilbertii Gould, 1841 |
Gilbert's Potoroo (Potorous gilbertii) is an Australian marsupial that is critically endangered. It lives in a restricted area on the southwest coast of Western Australia.
The name of this animal commemorates the English naturalist and explorer John Gilbert.
The potoroo was presumed extinct for 120 years before it was re-discovered in 1994 in Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve. [1] In efforts to protect the remaining population three potoroos (one male and two females) were translocated to Bald Island in August 2005 where they are free from predation. Since that time an additional four potoroos have been sent to establish a breeding colony. [3]
[edit] References
- ^ Groves, Colin (16 November 2005). in Wilson, D. E., and Reeder, D. M. (eds): Mammal Species of the World, 3rd edition, Johns Hopkins University Press, 58. ISBN 0-801-88221-4.
- ^ Australasian Marsupial & Monotreme Specialist Group (1996). Potorous gilbertii. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 6 May 2006.
- ^ Bald Island home to two more Gilbert’s potoroos (2007). Retrieved on 2007-10-07.