Rocky's Wild Legacy

The 11-year-old male sired many joeys during his time at the Australian Reptile Park, which were rewilded into the Barrington Wildlife Sanctuary, continuing Rocky's line and legacy.

Conservation organisation Aussie Ark is delighted to welcome into retirement the much-loved Parma Wallaby called Rocky, who will spend his twilight years in the Barrington Tops now that he is past prime breeding age.

Rocky spent most of his eleven years at the Australian Reptile Park in Somersby NSW, where he sired many joeys. These joeys joined Aussie Ark’s breeding and rewilding program, with some released into the Barrington Wildlife Sanctuary. In this way, Rocky has played a major role helping save his species from extinction, with his ‘line’ and legacy secured into the future.

Referred to as the “beautiful gentleman” by keepers at the Australian Reptile Park, Rocky is now past prime breeding age, and the Park needs to introduce a younger male into the cohort. So it’s time for Rocky to farewell the Park and enjoy the peace and quiet of the Barrington Tops where he will live out his days in a wild, leafy habitat with other macropods.

The transfer of Rocky from Park to Ark is a unique collaboration between Aussie Ark and its sister organisation, with Head Keeper of Mammals & Birds Seleena de Gelder leading operations at the Australian Reptile Park.

“Rocky is calm and handsome and one of the nicest Parma Wallabies I’ve had the opportunity to work with,” Ms de Gelder said. “I will miss him, but I’m happy for him. It’s wonderful that he can enjoy retirement up in the alpine paradise of the Barrington Tops, close to where his joeys are.”

Rocky was health-checked when he arrived at the Ark by Operations Manager Dean Reid. A new health sheet was started in Aussie Ark’s database, which recorded Rocky’s weight and body condition. It was a special moment for Mr Reid, who shares a history with Rocky.

“I used to work at the Australian Reptile Park so I know Rocky really well,” Mr Reid said. “It’s very special to welcome him here to the Ark, and keep an eye on him. He’s in excellent health for an older animal, and I know he will enjoy a happy retirement.”

The Parma Wallaby holds an important place in the heart of both Aussie Ark and the Australian Reptile Park. The Parma Wallaby was once thought extinct on mainland Australia until Australian Reptile Park founder Eric Worrell helped rediscover the species on the Central Coast in the 1960s, around the Ourimbah and Gosford region.

Aussie Ark has one of Australia’s largest breeding and rewilding programs for the Parma Wallaby, helping secure its future. Rocky, and his progeny, is proof of this success.