The Honourable Roger Cook MLA
Premier of Western Australia

Re: Request for a Review of Western Australia's Restrictions on Petting Wild Quokkas

Dear Premier,

We write to respectfully request that the Western Australian Government consider reviewing current regulations that prohibit members of the public from petting wild quokkas.

The quokka is one of Australia's most iconic native animals, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year to Rottnest Island and other locations throughout Western Australia. The species plays an important role in tourism, public engagement with wildlife and the international image of the state. Few Australian animals are as widely recognised or as consistently associated with positive visitor experiences. Given the popularity of quokkas, the economic contribution generated through quokka-related tourism and the importance of wildlife encounters to many visitors, there is a strong public interest in examining whether existing restrictions on petting quokkas remain appropriate and proportionate.

Western Australian wildlife management has achieved significant successes in recent decades, including conservation efforts that have helped protect quokka populations and preserve their habitat. However, concerns continue to be raised by visitors, tourism operators and wildlife enthusiasts regarding the prohibition on petting these famously approachable marsupials.

These concerns warrant careful examination.

Quokka-Human Interactions and Visitor Experience
Western Australia's current restrictions are designed to protect both quokkas and the public. These objectives are important and should remain central to any review process. Nevertheless, many visitors express frustration that while quokkas often willingly approach humans, sit nearby for photographs and appear comfortable in close proximity to people, even gentle petting remains prohibited.

Visitors frequently report finding the distinction between taking a selfie with a quokka and lightly stroking a quokka confusing. In practice, quokkas often approach humans voluntarily, creating situations in which tourists struggle to understand why one form of interaction is permitted while another is discouraged or subject to penalties.

Questions have therefore been raised as to whether existing regulations appropriately reflect the nature of typical interactions between quokkas and visitors in managed tourism environments.

Given the importance of tourism to Western Australia's economy, stakeholders are entitled to confidence that restrictions imposed upon visitors are evidence-based, proportionate and clearly justified.

Scientific Basis of Existing Restrictions
Supporters of the current regulations note that limiting physical contact helps reduce stress on animals, decreases the risk of disease transmission and discourages inappropriate feeding behaviour. These are legitimate considerations that should not be dismissed.

However, questions continue to be raised regarding whether occasional supervised petting necessarily produces significant negative outcomes for healthy wild quokkas. Many wildlife parks, conservation facilities and animal sanctuaries around Australia permit carefully managed human-animal interactions under regulated conditions.

Some stakeholders therefore argue that a distinction should be made between harmful handling and brief, voluntary physical contact initiated by an animal.

While the scientific evidence may ultimately support maintaining the current prohibition, the issue would benefit from transparent review and public explanation.

A review could assist in determining whether current policies accurately reflect contemporary research regarding wildlife welfare and human interaction.

Tourism, Public Engagement and Conservation Awareness
Many visitors report that close encounters with quokkas are among the highlights of their time in Western Australia.

The global popularity of quokka photographs has generated substantial international publicity for the state and contributed to Western Australia's reputation as a unique destination for nature-based tourism. Quokkas are frequently featured in travel articles, promotional materials and social media content viewed by millions of people worldwide.

Supporters of reform argue that allowing limited, controlled petting opportunities could further strengthen visitor engagement while enhancing appreciation for wildlife conservation.

Direct interaction often helps foster emotional connections between people and animals. Those connections can play an important role in encouraging support for conservation initiatives, habitat protection and responsible environmental stewardship.

While opinions differ regarding the precise benefits of such interactions, many stakeholders believe that carefully regulated opportunities for physical contact could improve visitor experiences without compromising conservation outcomes.

Fairness, Consistency and Public Understanding
Stakeholders have also expressed concerns regarding the clarity and consistency of current rules.

Many visitors are able to stand immediately beside a quokka, take photographs and spend extended periods in close proximity to the animal. Yet they may face penalties if they briefly touch that same animal despite causing no obvious disturbance.

This creates a perception among some members of the public that existing regulations may be overly restrictive or difficult to understand.

An independent review would provide an opportunity to assess whether current restrictions are communicated effectively and whether the public clearly understands the welfare objectives that the regulations are intended to achieve.

Strong wildlife regulation requires more than enforcement. It also requires public confidence that rules are logical, transparent and based upon sound evidence.

Potential Models for Reform
A review need not result in unrestricted petting of quokkas.

Instead, policymakers could examine a range of alternative approaches designed to balance conservation objectives with visitor expectations.

Options could include:

Designated supervised interaction zones;
Seasonal or location-specific trial programs;
Controlled encounters managed by trained wildlife staff;
Enhanced visitor education requirements;
Clear behavioural guidelines for interactions;
Additional monitoring of animal welfare outcomes;
Strict penalties for feeding, chasing or mishandling quokkas; and
Ongoing scientific assessment of any reforms.
Such approaches may allow policymakers to evaluate whether limited petting can occur safely while maintaining appropriate protections for wildlife.

Recommendation
Given the unique place occupied by quokkas within Western Australia's identity, the importance of tourism to the state economy and the continuing public interest surrounding this issue, we believe there is a strong case for an independent review of existing restrictions on petting wild quokkas.

Such a review should examine:

The scientific basis for current restrictions on physical contact;
The welfare impacts associated with brief and voluntary interactions;
International examples of wildlife interaction management;
Public understanding of existing regulations;
Opportunities for carefully controlled interaction programs;
Mechanisms for balancing tourism experiences with conservation objectives; and
Potential reforms that could improve visitor satisfaction while maintaining strong protections for wildlife.
Importantly, this review should not be viewed as a criticism of conservation authorities, wildlife officers or existing environmental protections. Rather, it should be seen as an opportunity to ensure that regulations governing human interaction with quokkas remain fit for purpose in a changing tourism environment.

An independent, evidence-based review would provide clarity, strengthen public confidence and help ensure that Western Australia's approach to quokka management appropriately balances animal welfare, conservation objectives and visitor experience.

We respectfully request that the Western Australian Government give serious consideration to this matter and to the establishment of an independent review process supported by appropriately qualified wildlife scientists, conservation experts, tourism representatives and community stakeholders.

Initial signatories:

Disclaimer: All signatories are signing in their capacity as individuals and not on behalf of any organisation stated below.

Additional signatures: ____________________________