AN AUSTRALIAN MAN is facing criminal charges after he allegedly attempted to sell a baby wallaby on Facebook.

The bids for the little marsupial were as high as AUS $10,000 (€6,686) before he was caught.

The animal was rescued by the parks department after an officer posing as a potential buyer met the man in a nearby car park.

The 26-year-old had originally advertised the joey for sale for AUS $3,500 but the bids soon escalated, with an overseas buyer offering up to AUS $10,000 for the wallaby.

The man could be fined up to AUS $4,000 for some of his charges.

Wildlife officer Peter Castairs told national broadcaster ABC that the department became aware of the situation after local residents complained:

The community outrage generated by this incident shows that people really care about protecting our native wildlife.

It is illegal to sell or possess any part of a native animal in Western Australia unless you have a wildlife licence. There is a black market trade in Australian wildlife and it is a practice that must be stopped.

The joey, which had been brought into Western Australia from neighbouring Northern Territory, is being cared for by wildlife experts.

It will eventually be returned to the Northern Territory and released into the wild.

At least this little joey will get its happy ending.

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