Starting in Nelly Bay , Magnetic Island, a flyer is being delivered to households urging the community to watch out for sick or dead wallabies . This move follows Little Darwin exclusively revealing that a large number of rock wallabies had died from a virus spread by cats .
The flyer states that more than 20 wallabies have died around Nerita Crescent , Nelly Bay . Tests on two confirmed a disease called Toxoplasmosis ,caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii ,which can infect other native animals .
This was the first time island wallabies had been found to be infected by the parasite.
Residents are being asked to help understand the extent of the outbreak by reporting the following symptoms in wallabies :
Blindness, loss of balance, uncoordinated or erratic movements ; body weakness ; weight loss or loss of appetite ; respiratory distress .Do not handle any wallabies .
Contact the Magnetic Island Wallaby Refuge on 0400 243 842 ; or MIFCO wildlife care hotline 0457 634 732. :
