WILD FUTURES - helping to save the Eastern Barred Bandicoot

Once common across Victoria’s volcanic plains and grasslands, the Eastern Barred Bandicoot (Perameles gunnii) is now one of Victoria’s most endangered species and considered extinct in Victoria’s wild.  Intrinsically linked to the bandicoot’s decline is the utilisation and consequent destruction of over 99% of its native grassland habitat in Victoria.  Further pressures such as predation from introduced foxes, cats and dogs and competition with rabbits have also caused devastating decline.  The survival of these shy tussock-dwellers now depends entirely on captive breeding programs and secure, healthy, predator-free habitat.  

Through the Wild Futures program, Conservation Volunteers Australia is working in partnership with Parks Victoria at Woodlands Historic Park and Serendip Sanctuary, Department of Sustainability & Environment Communities for Nature, Mt Rothwell Biodiversity Centre and the Eastern Barred Bandicoot Recovery Team to create secure areas where these bandicoots can flourish in their native grassland habitat.  Important monitoring programs are also taking place at Hamilton in Victoria, one of the last strongholds for the species.

In April 2012, the exclusion fence at Woodlands Historic Park was complete and now efforts have turned to eradicating pests, maintaining the fence and restoring habitat within the fence to create a safe haven for Eastern Barred Bandicoots. 

We have urgent need of support for a number of practical conservation activities linked to the protection and enhancement of these reserves as habitat for Eastern Barred Bandicoots including:

• Removal of invasive weed species 
  
• Planting of native grasses 
  
• Maintenance and monitoring of exclusion fencing 
  
• Eastern Barred Bandicoot population monitoring through survey methods including remote camera surveys and manual trapping 
  

Your financial assistance or hands-on help in these endeavours will allow these bandicoots to increase in number in natural habitat, safe from predators and ensure that Eastern Barred Bandicoots will once again have a wild future.

Check out the video about the plight of the Eastern Barred Bandicoot from The 7:30 Report here.

Want to Get Involved?

Family & Friends Day – 2nd Saturday of the Month  

Enjoy a Saturday morning out in the Park while making a real difference to a critter in need.  Diverse activities for all levels of ability including fence monitoring, weed removal and more.

Night Watch – 2nd Thursday of the Month 

As the sun descends watch the critters of the night come out to play and keep your eyes out for predators as we conduct a critical predator patrol to keep our precious bandicoots safe.

Green Gym – every 2nd Wednesday 

Create a healthy lifestyle for yourself and the environment by being actively involved in exciting activities at Woodlands Historic Park.  Stay fit, healthy and active in the outdoors whilst working in the stunning Woodlands environment.  A fantastic social atmosphere and great day out.

Latest Report from the Field

The Eastern Barred Bandicoot program is going from strength to strength, with the completion of the predator proof fence at Woodlands Historic Park in Greenvale, Victoria (next to the Tullamarine Airport).  Our Bandicoot Team is now putting the finishing on enhancing the habitat inside the fence for the Eastern Barred Bandicoot, ready for the upcoming release.  The young bandicoots that will be released at the site have been raised at Melbourne Zoo under the careful attention of keepers and will soon be exploring their new outdoor and open-space living.  Plans are under way for the release event - stay tuned for more details soon!

Main image courtesy of Ruth Woodrow; Inset images courtesy of Zoos Victoria, Richard Hill & CVA