WILD FUTURES - helping to save the Eastern Barred Bandicoot

EBB Hero image

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.

EBB video link








Want to Get Involved?

You can help with these important Eastern Barred Bandicoot Recovery efforts!  Be a part of our Woodlands Bandicoot Team and take part in the many practical opportunities offered at Woodlands Historic Park to help save the species, including:

Fencing at Woodlands for EBB
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.

Contact our Melbourne office to learn more about these fantastic Bandicoot conservation opportunities!  Call (03) 9326 8250 or email melbourne@conservationvolunteers.com.au for more details and to book your spot on the team!

You can also enjoy a fantastic 3-day monitoring experience through our Naturewise program, or donate valuable dollars to our Wild Futures program to ensure that Eastern Barred Bandicoots don’t disappear from our landscape forever.

EBB babies

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!

Volunteer on the Eastern Barred Bandicoot Project

Volunteer on one of our field projects, make a practical contribution and help to give the Eastern Barred Bandicoot a Wild Future.
Get Involved >>

Donate to help the Eastern Barred Bandicoot

Can't volunteer? That's ok - you can donate to help give the Eastern Barred Bandicoot a Wild Future! Donate Here >>

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

Quick Connect

Click on the map below to find volunteer opportunities that interest you

Map of Australia and New Zealand to choose volunteer opportunities Northern Territory South Australia Queensland Victoria New South Wales Tasmania Western Australia New Zealand - North Island New Zealand - South Island Wild Futures Action For Climate Change

Web Development by Alliance Software