Toolache Wallaby
Encyclopedia
The Toolache Wallaby or Grey's Wallaby (Macropus greyi) is an extinct species of wallaby
from south-eastern South Australia
and South-western Victoria
. Many people considered it to be the most elegant, graceful and swift species of kangaroo
. It had fine fur with alternating bands of darker and lighter grey across the back. The bands differed in their colour and texture. The marking may have varied seasonally or between individuals. Its hopping consisted on two short hops, then a long one.
The wallaby was gregarious, with groups being loyal to a particular location. Greyhound
s were used to chase the wallabies, which never hurried until the dogs got close and then bounded away. One individual was chased on horseback for six kilometres and escaped through a fence. The wallaby was hunted for fur and sport and was affected by pastoralism
. It was relatively common until 1910, but was very rare in 1923, with the last known group of 14 inhabiting the Konetta sheep run near Robe
. Professor Wood Jones and others failed in attempts to capture wallabies and transfer them to a sanctuary on Kangaroo Island
. Four individuals were captured, all dead or dying by being driven too hard; they died from exhaustion and shock. Local hunters harassed wallabies to obtain pelts or trophies. A female, with a young in her pouch, was captured and survived for 12 years in captivity at Robe until 1939. One wallaby may have been captured in 1943. The wallaby became extinct because of hunting, foxes
and land clearance.
Wallaby
A wallaby is any of about thirty species of macropod . It is an informal designation generally used for any macropod that is smaller than a kangaroo or wallaroo that has not been given some other name.-Overview:...
from south-eastern South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
and South-western Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
. Many people considered it to be the most elegant, graceful and swift species of kangaroo
Kangaroo
A kangaroo is a marsupial from the family Macropodidae . In common use the term is used to describe the largest species from this family, especially those of the genus Macropus, Red Kangaroo, Antilopine Kangaroo, Eastern Grey Kangaroo and Western Grey Kangaroo. Kangaroos are endemic to the country...
. It had fine fur with alternating bands of darker and lighter grey across the back. The bands differed in their colour and texture. The marking may have varied seasonally or between individuals. Its hopping consisted on two short hops, then a long one.
The wallaby was gregarious, with groups being loyal to a particular location. Greyhound
Greyhound
The Greyhound is a breed of sighthound that has been primarily bred for coursing game and racing, and the breed has also recently seen a resurgence in its popularity as a pedigree show dog and family pet. It is a gentle and intelligent breed...
s were used to chase the wallabies, which never hurried until the dogs got close and then bounded away. One individual was chased on horseback for six kilometres and escaped through a fence. The wallaby was hunted for fur and sport and was affected by pastoralism
Pastoralism
Pastoralism or pastoral farming is the branch of agriculture concerned with the raising of livestock. It is animal husbandry: the care, tending and use of animals such as camels, goats, cattle, yaks, llamas, and sheep. It may have a mobile aspect, moving the herds in search of fresh pasture and...
. It was relatively common until 1910, but was very rare in 1923, with the last known group of 14 inhabiting the Konetta sheep run near Robe
Robe, South Australia
Robe is a town and fishing port on the South East Limestone Coast of South Australia. The town's distinctive combination of historical buildings, ocean, fishing fleets, lakes and dense bush is widely appreciated. Robe lies on the southern shore of Guichen Bay, just off the Princes Highway. At the...
. Professor Wood Jones and others failed in attempts to capture wallabies and transfer them to a sanctuary on Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island is Australia's third-largest island after Tasmania and Melville Island. It is southwest of Adelaide at the entrance of Gulf St Vincent. Its closest point to the mainland is off Cape Jervis, on the tip of the Fleurieu Peninsula in the state of South Australia. The island is long...
. Four individuals were captured, all dead or dying by being driven too hard; they died from exhaustion and shock. Local hunters harassed wallabies to obtain pelts or trophies. A female, with a young in her pouch, was captured and survived for 12 years in captivity at Robe until 1939. One wallaby may have been captured in 1943. The wallaby became extinct because of hunting, foxes
Red Fox
The red fox is the largest of the true foxes, as well as being the most geographically spread member of the Carnivora, being distributed across the entire northern hemisphere from the Arctic Circle to North Africa, Central America, and the steppes of Asia...
and land clearance.