Quenda
Until mid 2026, there were no firm sightings of quenda in the Kensington Bushland. So there was great excitement on 2 July 2026 when local Paul Rushton sent us photos of a quenda enjoying an afternoon not far from the path.
Since then, one other visitor has photographed one from the path and a number of others have seen them but not been fast enough to catch them.
The weeding team has observed numerous scratchings throughout the bushland and photographed them on several occasions with a remote fauna camera July and August. We don’t know how many there are but a report from the company trapping rabbits included four quenda on a single night. The Kensington Secondary School which includes a small piece of remnant bushland has also installed a trail camera with exciting results – including a baby in August 2026. Read more about their project …
There as several theories about how they came to be there, but it is clear from messaged through our social media that several gardens across South Perth and Victoria Park as home to at least one quenda.
Early records
On 31 January 2026 there was a reported “probable” sighting of quenda crossing the path near Baron-Hay Court but no photo unfortunately.
In July 2024, a quenda family was spotted in a Friend’s Kensington garden within a few streets of Jirdarup. At first, the ubiquitous urban rat was suspected but on closer inspection after one triggered the home’s rat cage, it was identified as a quenda-and was released back to the garden. Our Friend has seen two different quenda, one relatively small and the other adult sized significantly larger than a rat. Photos of their cute faces and unique diggings have been taken. This is the first time they have been seen here. The garden is a natural haven for quenda, with limited pruning, little mowing and many places to hide. They are attracted to weed and flower bulbs, fungi, worms and grubs. Update, in 2026 she thinks they have gone.
Previous recorded sightings of quenda:
- scratchings in the Kensington Bushland in 2008 by Friends weeding in the bushland
- likely spotting 28 Feb 2006 behind the Kensington Secondary School (4cm body, 8cm long tail, pointy snout, pale brown/tan, seemed to walk “up” on its limbs more than a mouse but to on all fours (we have an indistinct photo)
- scratchings by Silver Kenny in 2005.[1]
[1] Kenny, Silver (2005). Ecosystem Health and Function of Kensington Bushland Reserve. School of Environment and Science, Murdoch University. Unpublished paper.
Bats
Bats were not recorded in the bushland until 2023. They are now regularly monitored with four species of microbat confirmed to be visiting but, as yet, there is no confirmation that they are living there.
Feral species
Mice, rabbits and foxes have been recorded living in the bushland while cats have been seen from time to time. The Town of Victoria Park is responsible for control of feral species. Our weeding teams in particular are able to spot outbreaks. The most recent rabbit control program was in 2025-2026.
