Australia is legendary for animals that don’t exist within the wild anyplace else on Earth, together with a creature known as the quokka. The uncommon animals — positioned on Rottnest Island close to Australia’s west coast within the Indian Ocean — are additionally serving to fund their very own conservation efforts, due to their contagious smiles.
The tiny island is house to unspoiled wilderness, pristine seashores and the quokkas. Round 10,000 quokkas stay there, and have change into a preferred vacationer attraction.
They’re cousins of the kangaroo, however stand solely round 20 inches tall.
CBS Information
As a result of they appear to be smiling, quokkas have change into a viral sensation. Referred to as the world’s happiest animals, celebrities like Roger Federer, Margot Robbie and Logan Paul have snapped selfies with the lovable animal. Scientists say quokkas are naturally curious and have tailored to being round vacationers.
There are additionally guidelines to interacting with quokkas. For instance, It’s forbidden to feed or contact them. They even have the fitting of method on roads.
“They’re so cute. They’re adorable,” mentioned Kacie Wellington. “I mean they look like they’re smiling.”
On the Australian mainland, quokkas are threatened by wildfires and feral cats, however on the island, they don’t have any pure predators and are fearless and pleasant with people.
They’ve been known as a conservation success story, with demand for selfies fueling the tourism that helps fund their safety.
“They’re just a very chilled animal,” mentioned Arvid Hogstrom, who’s in control of conservation on Rottnest Island.
Hogstrom defined that the quokkas are usually not really smiling.
“It’s just part of their natural physiology,” he mentioned, however added he suspects they’re blissful animals.
“They lead a pretty easygoing life,” he mentioned. “So I don’t see any reason why they wouldn’t be happy.”
