quokka

From Nyunga kwaka.

• IPA^(key): /ˈkwɒkə/

quokka (plural quokkas)

1. A cat-sized marsupial, Setonix brachyurus, of southwestern Australia.
   • 2003, John Long, Introduced Mammals of the World: Their History, Distribution and Influence, page 29,

     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.

   • 2005, Hugh Tyndale-Biscoe, Life of Marsupials, page 354,

     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.

   • 2012, Ken Richardson, Australia's Amazing Kangaroos: Their Conservation, Unique Biology and Coexisternce with Humans, page 125,

     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.