New population of critically endangered southern brush-tailed rock-wallabies established in ACT

Six critically endangered wallabies have been bundled up in backpacks and flown from Victoria to the ACT in a novel mission to help save the species.

There are estimated to be fewer than 60 southern brush-tailed rock-wallabies left in the wild.

Three males and three females from the Odonata Foundation's Mt Rothwell Sanctuary were meticulously selected and genetically screened, before being loaded onto a small plane.

Pilot Michael Smith, who delivered the precious cargo to Canberra, said the unusual approach was designed to minimise stress for the marsupials.

There are now more than 300 wallabies at the Mt Rothwell sanctuary.

Matt Singleton from the Odonata Foundation said the goal was to build genetically robust populations in more locations as an insurance policy against extinction.