quokka

noun

1. A cat-sized wallaby, Setonix brachyurus, of southwestern Australia.

   “At least 673 quokkas were re-introduced from Rottnest Island to the Marsupial Research Station of the University of Western Australia (254 ha) at Jandakot from 1972 to 1988.”

   “Tammars, quokkas and black-footed rock wallabies inhabit islands in the southwest, while three species of hare wallaby, the burrowing bettong and five species of rock wallaby inhabit various islands in the northwest.”

   “Older unburnt areas (more than 25 years) on their own appear unable to sustain a quokka population. The largest number of quokkas occurs on Rottnest Island near Perth, where the population estimates vary from 8000 to 12,000 individuals.”