What Should We Do With Our Wallabies?

The Isle of Man’s celebrity wallabies have made it into UK magazine The Economist – and sparked a global bunfight over what on earth we should do with them.

The Red-Necked Wallabies first hopped out of Curraghs Wildlife Park in the 1960s and have since multiplied like rabbits with a gym membership.

Latest surveys reckon more than 1,000 are now dotted around Ballaugh Curragh, Sulby Glen, Ramsey Forest and beyond, though none were spotted in Central Valley or Cooildarry (too posh, maybe).

While many think they’re part of our quirky island identity, the Manx Museum even has a stuffed one, conservationists aren’t all smiles.

They munch native plants, mess with local wildlife and even annoy farmers by wrecking fences.

To make matters worse, experts warn they’re suffering health problems thanks to a ‘genetic bottleneck’.

Ideas floated include culling, fencing or sterilisation, but none are particularly popular.

Online, the debate’s kicked off harder than a Peel defender in the Old Firm, should we protect them as Manx icons, or treat them like the Aussie pests they technically are?

For now, the wallabies remain hopping free, winding up sheep, and starring in global headlines.