Endangered marsupial making comeback on remote island

September 6, 2024 9:11 AM

On a remote island in the Southern Ocean, this endangered marsupial is making its comeback. As few as 120 Gilbert's potoroos remain in the wild, so when two new animals were found on Middle Island off the WA coast, it was a cause for celebration.
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries (6 comments total)

awww they are cute. the name made me picture something like a jumping potato.
posted by supermedusa at 9:50 AM on September 6 [1 favorite]

BABY POTOROO!!!
posted by praemunire at 9:57 AM on September 6 [2 favorites]

Glad to hear this. Potoroos are great. I went camping in NSW during a trip in high school, and they warned us these cute buggers will get into any bag with food in it left on the ground. Wily!

At the crack of dawn I woke up with a start because one had jumped on my chest. In my delirium I tried to grab it. No success, and it kicked off me pretty hard! That's all my potoroo stories. Next week hear how the army interrupted our platypus viewing.
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 10:02 AM on September 6 [3 favorites]

the name made me picture something like a jumping potato

I confess I had them mixed up in my head with potoos.
posted by mykescipark at 10:41 AM on September 6 [1 favorite]

potoroo == jumping potat
potoo == flying potat
posted by supermedusa at 10:48 AM on September 6 [2 favorites]

I mean, they are a bit like jumping potatoes….

Why Gilbert should get credit for their hard work and evident charm, I have no idea.
posted by GenjiandProust at 12:34 PM on September 6