A Perth man who was filmed kicking a quokka on Rottnest Island has been fined $4,000 for the ill-treatment of the animal.

Harrison Angus McPherson, 20, was charged after a video of the incident was uploaded to Snapchat in February.

It shows McPherson kicking the quokka, which goes flying into wall before running away.

A man can be heard laughing in the background, while another is heard saying "come here you little c***".

McPherson (centre) had been drinking on the day he kicked a quokka, the court heard. ( ABC News: Marcus Alborn )

The Fremantle Magistrate's Court was told McPherson, who pleaded guilty to one charge of ill treating an animal, was "adamant" it was not him laughing, and was not aware he was being filmed.

His lawyer Tom Percy said McPherson had been drinking on the day, but "just can't account for the fact he swung his foot" at the animal, describing the offence as "impulsive, opportunistic and completely out of character".

Mr Percy said his client had since sought counselling "as a result of his own contrition and remorse".

He told the court McPherson had received "vitriolic" emails from members of the public, some of which included death threats.

Spent conviction rejected

A psychological report was prepared for the court, which detailed what were described as a "number of factors" in McPherson's life, including the death of a close friend in a shark attack.

Magistrate Peter Malone said the circumstances of the offence "reflected zero credit" on McPherson.

It is not known what happened to the quokka that was kicked. ( ABC News: Cy Millington )

He said the fine he imposed took into consideration it was not known what had happened to the quokka, but he hoped it had not been badly injured.

Mr Malone rejected an application for McPherson to receive a spent conviction order, which would have meant the offence would not have been included on his record, saying the attack was far too serious.

In March, the 21-year-old man who recorded the footage, Corey Douglas James, also pleaded guilty to the ill-treatment of an animal and was fined $3,500.

Both men were initially charged with cruelty to an animal, but the charge was downgraded after prosecutors said the quokka was not able to be found, to determine its condition after the attack.