Meet the Quokkas: Australia

Australia is famous for animals that do not exist in nature anywhere else on Earth, including a creature called Quokka. Rare animals, located on Rottnest Island, near the west coast of Australia, in the Indian Ocean, are also helping to finance their own conservation efforts, thanks to their contagious smiles.

The small island is home to a virgin desert, virgin beaches and quokkas. Around 10,000 Quokkas live there, and have become a popular tourist attraction.

They are kangaroo cousins, but they only measure about 20 inches high.

Because they seem to be smiling, the Quokkas have become a viral sensation. Known as the happiest animals in the world, celebrities such as Roger Federer, Margot Robbie and Logan Paul have taken selfies with the adorable animal. Scientists say that Quokkas are naturally curious and have adapted to being close to tourists.

There are also rules to interact with Quokkas. For example, it is forbidden to feed or touch them. They even have the right of passage on the roads.

“They are so cute. They are adorable,” said Kacie Wellington. “I mean they seem to be smiling.”

In the Australian continent, the Quokkas are threatened by forest fires and wild cats, but on the island, they do not have natural predators and are brave and friendly with humans.

They have been called a success story of conservation, with a demand for selfies that feed tourism that helps finance their protection.

“They are just a very cold animal,” said Arvid Hogstrom, who is in charge of conservation in Rottnest Island.

Hogstrom explained that the Quokkas are not really smiling.

“It’s only part of its natural physiology,” he said, but added that they suspect they are happy animals.

“They lead a quite quiet life,” he said. “So I don’t see any reason why they wouldn’t be happy.”

In:
• Australia