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Hunt on for Quokka in Canning Vale

Denise S. CahillWestern Suburbs Weekly

RESIDENTS around Canning Vale are being asked to keep their eyes peeled for a quokka that made its way to the mainland on a rubbish barge last week.

The adult quokka arrived at the Regional Resource Recovery Centre in Canning Vale on January 4 and a day later a worker, who was not familiar with the marsupial, took photos of the “big rat” on his phone and shared it with a colleague on Monday.

The colleague recognised it as a quokka and contacted the Rottnest Island Authority (RIA).

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RIA Environmental officer Shane Kearney said it was unclear if the protected species was still at the Canning Vale facility or had made its way to adjoining bushland.

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Mr Kearney said the RIA was working with the Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPaW) to find the quokka and take it to the vet at Perth Zoo.

He said the quokka would not return to the Island.

It will be relocated to Perth Zoo or a wildlife park.

Mr Kearney said it was unclear if the quokka had been put in a bin on the Island or had made its own way in there.

He has offered a free trip to Rottnest as a reward for anyone who finds the quokka alive.

Call the DPaW Wildcare Helpline on 9474 9055.