Gilbert’s potoroo (Potorous gilbertii)
Gilbert’s Potoroo (Potorous gilbertii) was a ratlike marsupial fungivore which lived in great numbers throughout south-west Australia—particularly around King George Sound. The animals were discovered to science by the great naturalist George Gilbert in 1840. Unfortunately the potoroo proved to be extremely vulnerable to introduced predators such as foxes and dingoes. After an exhaustive search in the 1970s failed to find any living specimens of the creature (which had not been seen in decades) the unlucky mammals were deemed extinct, and thus Gilbert’s potoroo vanished forever from the—[needle comes off of sad record]—wait! actually this strange rodent-like/kangaroo-like creature was rediscovered in 1994.
After nearly two decades during which time the potoroos were presumed dead, a small population was found living in a remote and inaccessible scrubland beside Two Peoples Bay in Western Australia. The area was proclaimed a nature preserve and humankind leapt into action to save the beleaguered potoroo.
Gilbert’s potoroo, Potorous gilbertii
Yet, it has not been easy to relaunch the peculiar animal. The creatures live on truffle-like fungi, which they dig up with their three toed paws (each digit has a sharpened digging claw). The male potoroos are susceptible to balanoposthitis, a bacterial disease which disfigures the genitals with inflammation and leaves the creatures unable to reproduce. Also the animals seem to be extremely sensitive to cryptococcosis, a dangerous fungal disease which can lead to coughing and respiratory failure.
Fortunately, patient zookeepers, rangers, and volunteers have been working to help Gilbert’s potoroo overcome these alarming hurdles. The world population now numbers nearly 70—but the peculiar marsupial digger remains one of the planet’s most endangered mammals.
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June 26, 2015 at 8:56 PM
frithkin
Seems that most of Australia’s Marsupials are endangered . It seems no lessons have been learned from any of the other earlier meddling in ecosystems ( Rabbits for example , which you pointed out in an earlier post concerning them ) . Rabbits, as you may know became an important source of food for many Australians during the great depression as they were very abundant and inexpensive . People would make a living travelling through inner city suburbs ( the poor ones ) , with rabbits calling Rabbitoh !! ( they were selling rabbits to people for food ) .
I pessimistically , can foresee a time when there are no animals left on the planet , only in pictures .
June 30, 2015 at 11:59 PM
Wayne
Sigh, we have learned some lessons…but too late for a lot of the beautiful little bandicoots and wallabies. On the upside, some of these invasive species that travel around with us seem nearly as adaptable and hearty as humans. Considering how tough some beasties are, it will probably be a while before we actually could wipe out all of our fellow animals, and, frankly, I don’t think we’ll ever do so (though perhaps that is just the desperate voice of my heart speaking).
July 1, 2015 at 2:16 AM
frithkin
I tend to outwardly as per my comment take a more pessimistic viewpoint except like you , in my heart of hearts I will not give up hope ..
The thing with Australia’s marsupials they do not occur any were else !! That blew my mind as a child .
Although I have not seen any for many years ( due largely to not taking so many road trips ) I have seen a number of wombats in the wild ( you really do not want to hit them with your car they may be bruised and walk away but your car will be recked ) not however speaking from personal experience I have also been lucky enough to see an echidna in the wild and even more lucky ( once in a lifetime I am certain a platypus in the wild also in a river in the middle of nowhere . Very lucky most people here have never seen one .
July 1, 2015 at 11:10 PM
Wayne
I am profoundly envious that you have seen those amazing animals in the wild. Echidnas are very bright and furtive–not many people have ever seen them and platypuses are very rare. It’s terribly sad to think of wombats getting hit by cars–I hear they can be quite warm and delightful. maybe you are right to be pessimistic about our destiny…
July 2, 2015 at 9:16 AM
frithkin
“Prepare for the worst hope for the best ” !!