Country diary: Our island’s wandering wallabies come at a cost | Tim Earl

Red-necked wallabies, introduced to the Isle of Man in the 1960s after escaping from a wildlife park, have significantly altered the Ballaugh Curraghs wetland. Initially, their impact was minimal, allowing the "curraghs" to be declared a wetland site of international importance in 2006. However, the population has since grown to approximately 800 individuals. This substantial wallaby population has led to the displacement and consumption of key native species, to the extent that the area would now struggle to meet the criteria for international wetland status. The presence of these marsupials, while offering a unique sighting opportunity for residents and visitors, poses a considerable ecological challenge for the island's biodiversity management.