The college has welcomed two young tammar wallabies to its EcoSanctuary, boosting conservation efforts and enriching Tatachilla's new Ecological Science pathway.
The wallabies - who have come into the college's care as part of an exciting conservation partnership with Cleland Wildlife Park and Urrbrae Agricultural High School - were released into the college’s 3.4-hectare EcoSanctuary on Tuesday 3 June.
They are part of a growing initiative to support biodiversity, provide real-world learning experiences for Tatachilla students and build future-focused career pathways in ecological science.
The new wallabies were born at Cleland Wildlife Park and raised in their mothers’ pouches at Urrbrae Agricultural High School. Now just over a year old, they have joined Tatachilla’s two existing male tammar wallabies, bringing the sanctuary’s wallaby population to four.
Their arrival was a thrilling hands-on experience for Year 9 students Tahlia Hicks, Eve Ware, Jet Matijevic and Albey Walker, who are among the first cohort of students undertaking Tatachilla’s brand new Ecological Science pathway. As part of this innovative program, students engage deeply with the college’s natural environments, learning skills in habitat monitoring, species observation and sustainable land management.
"This is about more than just caring for animals — it's about building a future where students can play an active role in conservation and scientific research," said Tatachilla’s Environmental Education Officer, Timothy Leggatt. "These kinds of partnerships give our students meaningful insights into environmental careers while contributing to national biodiversity goals."
The college is proud to be part of a wider conservation network, with its EcoSanctuary supporting the genetic diversity and spatial needs of South Australia’s marsupial populations. While Tatachilla does not intend to breed its tammar wallabies – to avoid overpopulation and inbreeding – participating in genetic rotations helps maintain the health of the broader sanctuary population across the state.
As the only macropod known to drink seawater, the tammar wallaby (Notamacropus eugenii) is one of Australia’s most fascinating native species. It has remarkable energy conservation abilities while hopping, a complex reproductive cycle and a crucial role in native grassland ecosystems. However, its future remains threatened by habitat loss and feral predators – making sanctuary care like that at Tatachilla more important than ever.
The college’s new Ecological Science subject, launched this year for Year 9 students, empowers students with the scientific knowledge and environmental awareness needed to tackle global challenges. From analysing wetland macro-invertebrates and monitoring soil pH, to exploring frog populations with FrogWatch experts and studying animal adaptations at Adelaide Zoo, students are immersed in a curriculum grounded in action, inquiry and sustainability.
Tatachilla’s EcoSanctuary continues to be a place where native species thrive — and where future environmental leaders are inspired.
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