What does the management prohibition concerning touching quokkas aim to prevent besides dietary harm?

Vulnerability to accidental injury from rough handling or vehicle strikes due to lost fear

The second critical justification for the ban on physical interaction, which includes touching, relates directly to the quokka’s compromised sense of self-preservation derived from their isolated habitat. Because they lack the inherited wariness found in mainland relatives, they approach humans without hesitation. This misplaced confidence renders them highly susceptible to accidents in an environment shared with human infrastructure and activity. For instance, a quokka unafraid of vehicles might wander into roadways, leading to fatal strikes. Furthermore, rough handling by well-meaning but uninformed individuals can cause physical trauma or stress injuries, making the law a necessary shield against unintentional harm.