The Quokka (Setonix brachyurus) is a small macropod, closely related to wallabies and kangaroos and weighing 2.5 to 5 kilograms. The animal is endemic to the South West region of Western Australia, including Bald Island and Rottnest Island; however, since European settlement population numbers have dramatically declined due to habitat destruction and predation by foxes, cats and dogs. This has led to the classification of the Quokka as "vulnerable to extinction" on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Today, Quokkas are most numerous (10,000 to 12,000 animals) on predator-free Rottnest Island, where these inquisitive animals are a favourite with tourists. In 1696 Dutch explorer Willem de Vlamingh, believing the animal to be a type of giant rat, called the island Rattennest or Rats' Nest, which evolved into the current name. The Noongar name for the Quokka is "Quak-a" (Augusta and King Sound region) or" Bungeup" (Perth region).

Stamp and cover design: Jo Mure, Australia Post Design Studio

Photographs: Damian Lugowski (stamp and card front); ArnieOu (cover); TABITO_EX (card back).