Final answer:
For the hypothetical scenario of why bush-tailed rock-wallabies might go extinct, invasive species, such as introduced predators with no natural controls, can cause extinctions, as seen with the brown tree snake in Guam. Habitat destruction, like the slash-and-burn agriculture in Madagascar, can also lead to species extinction.
Step-by-step explanation:
The bush-tailed rock-wallabies are not actually extinct, but for the sake of this hypothetical scenario, if we were to consider factors leading to their potential extinction, the answer might involve invasive species. Introduced predators or competitors can have devastating effects on native species. For instance, the introduction of the brown tree snake to Guam led to the extinction of several native bird and lizard species because the snake had no natural predators on the island. Another example is the Nile perch in Lake Victoria, which decimated the native cichlid fish populations.
Habitat destruction is another significant cause that can lead to the extinction of species. On Madagascar's central highland plateau, slash-and-burn agriculture led to severe loss of habitat and subsequent extinction of several fish species as well as other wildlife. Habitat loss occurs due to human activities such as deforestation, damming of rivers, and agriculture, and it can have long-lasting impacts on biodiversity.