On a recent trip to Kial, a private refuge near Marlborough, a group of about 35 CQU Community Program participants were amazed to discover that there is presently no available information about the immune system or the immune responses of the bridled nailtail wallaby (or those of many other endangered macropod marsupials).

Central Queensland University’s Dr Lauren Young, who is a marsupial Immunologist, and Janelle Lowry, Senior Conservation Officer from Queensland Parks and Wildlife, were key speakers during a visit to ‘Kial’, owned by Tina Janssen and Peter Brooks, who head up Australian Animals Care and Education Inc (AACE).

Their passion for the endangered bridled nailtail wallaby (‘Flashjacks’) has seen them set up a refuge at Kial at their own cost, where, with the enthusiastic aid of the ‘Work for the Dole Program’ and equally enthusiastic assistance from young volunteers from around the world who come for a couple of weeks and stay much longer, they are slowly rescuing and repatriating a colony of nailtails with their Flashjack Rescue Project.

Flashback Rescue is helping to save an endangered species by improving the health of captive-bred bridled nailtail wallabies and preparing to release them into the wild.

CQU Honours student Amy O’Brien, working with Dr Young, is currently studying the identity and arrangement of the immune cells in the tissues of the nailtail.

When completed, her report will be the first documented report of the immune system of this animal and will provide much needed valuable information about the similarities and differences between this species, other macropod marsupials and humans. This will greatly aid diagnosis of animals before, during and after periods of ill-health.

Tina Janssen from the ‘Kial Flashjack Rescue Project” can be contacted at AACE on 0408 613 914.

Meanwhile, the rescue project has a wish list of items if anyone can help? They would like tents, sleeping bags, blankets, bunk beds, stretchers, volunteers with building or plumbing skills, fencing materials, shade sails, large saucepans, a four-wheel-drive for relocation and release, a stainless steel bench for a hospital, water tanks, a pressure pump, a donga, an industrial food processor and cupboards.

Photo (above): – Back row – Amy O’Brien (CQU Honours student), Dr Lauren Young (CQU), Janelle Lowry (QPWS), Jody Hunt (Work for the Dole participant), Peter Brooks (AACE). Front row – Glenys Kirkwood (CQU Community program), Lee Curtis nursing baby wallaby (overseas volunteer), Tina Janssen (AACE).

Photo (left): CQU Community Program participant Allison Black with Janelle Lowry QPWS.