A colony of rock wallabies on Magnetic Island has been "virtually wiped out", with fears a parasitic disease carried by cats could be responsible for the deaths.
The Magnetic Island Nature Care Association is trying to save the island's remaining wallabies and is calling on the community to help them.
"We've got a cluster of about 23 or 24 deaths in one small area in Nelly Bay, so at the moment we're seeking community advice on any other dead animals people are seeing," said Gethin Morgan, the group's president.
At least three of the animals, which are classified as a vulnerable species, have been confirmed to have been infected with toxoplasmosis, which is caused by a parasite typically carried by cats.
Call for feral cats to be trapped
Mr Morgan said feral cats had been a problem on the island for some time and urgent trapping needed to be done to help protect the national treasures.
The group also raised their concerns with the Townsville City Council calling for them to approach the issue with some urgency in urban areas.
A council spokesperson said they are aware of the recent deaths and residents needed to be diligent in meeting their responsibilities for keeping their pet cats enclosed within their residence.
"Residents are urged to call council to collect any wandering cats that they may come across so officers can attend and impound the animal," the spokesperson said.
Health concerns allayed
Humans can also contract toxoplasmosis and Mr Morgan said he was worried the disease could pose risks to the island's residents.
Townsville Hospital and Health Service Public Health Unit doctor Steven Donohue said the likelihood of people contracting toxoplasmosis from rock wallabies was exceedingly low.
"The host animal of the parasite is cats," Dr Donohue said.
Dr Donohue said in rare cases the disease could be dangerous for humans, and some healthy people with good immune systems could develop flu-like symptoms, but most people would not show any signs of illness at all.
"In people with weakened immune systems the infection can be severe and require medical treatment," he said.
While the risk of contracting toxoplasmosis remained relatively low, Dr Donohue said people could take precautions to protect themselves.
"Good hand hygiene and safe food handling practices, in addition to wearing gloves whilst gardening and closed-in shoes whilst bush walking, will minimise your chances of being exposed," he said.
