Wild wallabies are on the move - spreading across the island.

An MHK even reported one had fallen through a conservatory, while motorists have been forced to swerve to miss the marsupials.

Environment Minister Geoffrey Boot said the wild wallaby population in the Isle of Man is thought to be possibly the largest in the northern hemisphere and, although not indigenous, were now regarded as a quirky part of Manx life.

He said the incidents of wallabies, or feral goats, being hit by cars were no different from those involving other wild animals, including rabbits or large hares - or deer in the UK.

There were no plans to implement controls to restrict population growth, he said, or to review that policy on public safety or animal welfare grounds.

Daphne Caine (Garff) raised the matter in Tynwald last week.

She said of the wallabies: ’They have spread quite a long distance from the Curragh where they started and have been sighted several times throughout Garff.

’Reports from households in Laxey - there is one that even fell through a conservatory - and motorists on King Edward Road (Onchan)have had to avoid them.’

She asked Mr Boot if he had an idea of the numbers of wallabies and feral goats there were in the Manx countryside, as well as whether there were any concerns about the animals’ impact on indigenous species.

Numbers were not monitored, Mr Boot said, but there was anecdotal evidence of the wallabies’ spread.

’Wallabies have their lovers and detractors,’ he added. ’Land owners have the power to control them where there is an issue.

’The question is would the community support government if we started to bring in a policy of removing or exterminating wallabies? Evidence shows in the past - when we had foot-and-mouth disease here and there were talks of controlling feral goats - the public will not support that.’

In the case of both feral goats and the wallabies, landowners or authorised agents can ’take measures’ to control them on their land.

Mr Boot added: ’I am aware there are often anecdotal stories of blind or partially sighted wallabies. However, overall the population seems to be thriving and is reputed to be the strongest population in the northern hemisphere.

’Indeed the reputation of having a thriving population of wild wallabies is seen by many as a quirky feature of our countryside, which is enjoyed by many visitors and locals alike.’