Quick answer
Quokkas (Setonix brachyurus) are listed in our guides as Vulnerable. That IUCN-style label describes global extinction risk and can differ from national lists — habitat loss and human pressure still decide local survival.
Key takeaway
Quokkas (Setonix brachyurus) are listed in our guides as Vulnerable. That IUCN-style label describes global extinction risk and can differ from national lists — habitat loss and human pressure still decide local survival.
Quokka conservation status
Quokka (Setonix brachyurus) is recorded here as Vulnerable. Global categories summarise extinction risk; regional populations can be safer or worse than the headline label.
Threats facing quokkas
Habitat loss around Scrub, heath, and forest, hunting or persecution, climate pressure, and conflict with people are common drivers. Exact ranking of threats varies by region.
Outlook for Quokka populations
Where monitoring exists, trends track protected-area quality and enforcement. Fragmented groups need corridors and genetic exchange to avoid local extinction.
What actually helps
Support verified conservation programmes, cut demand for illegal wildlife products, and protect habitat. Tourism helps only when operators follow ethical wildlife standards.
Where quokkas live
Quokkas are found only in a small part of southwestern Australia. The largest and most visible population lives on Rottnest Island near Perth, where the absence of foxes and cats has let them thrive and become remarkably tame.
Conservation and people
On the mainland, quokkas have declined due to habitat loss and introduced predators, and they are listed as Vulnerable. Visitors are asked never to touch or feed them; human food makes them sick, and handling is harmful and, on Rottnest Island, illegal.
Sources
Quokka FAQs
Are quokkas endangered?
Quokkas (Setonix brachyurus) are listed in our guides as Vulnerable. That IUCN-style label describes global extinction risk and can differ from national lists — habitat loss and human pressure still decide local survival.
What is the scientific name of the quokka?
Setonix brachyurus — used in research and conservation listings for quokkas.
What do quokkas eat?
Quokkas are described as herbivores, with seasonal and regional variation in Scrub, heath, and forest.
Where do quokkas live?
They are associated with Scrub, heath, and forest. Local presence depends on food, cover, and human land use.
What is the conservation status of quokkas?
Listed in our guides as Vulnerable. Check the IUCN Red List and national assessments for the latest formal category.