Saving wildlife a full-time job in Australia

Australia Walkabout Wildlife Park is doing its bit when it comes to the fight to save Australia’s endangered and threatened flora and fauna.

It is reported there are 444 species of reptiles, frogs, fish, mammals, birds and other animals listed under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Act.

Some of Australia’s much loved animals are facing the possibility of heading in the same direction of the extinct Tasmanian Tiger, including the Northern hairy-nosed wombat, southern cassowary, grey headed flying fox, bilby and koala.

According to Australia Walkabout Wildlife Park general manager, Tassin Barnard there are many reasons why so many native species face the possibility of extinction.

“One of the big factors threatening our native wildlife is loss of habitat through the construction of houses and roads,” Ms Barnard said. “I’m not saying don’t build more roads and homes because we need them but maybe we need to think about where we build them and how we are going about it, as not only are the new roads and homes wiping out animals homes it’s also leading to a lack of food sources.”

Other problems according to Ms Barnard are interbreeding, feral animals and a lack of information.

“Information and education are the key because there is a lot of misinformation out there, but the more people learn about these animals it might prompt them to come up with other ideas to help save them,” Ms Barnard said.

Bilby Dreams documents species return

The Australian Greater Bilby (Macrotis lagotis, pictured above) is known to 'breed like rabbits' - if given half a chance - an attribute that could help the animal claw its way back to non-threatened status.

Tragically its cousin, the Lesser Bilby (Macrotis leucura), became extinct in the 1940s, although a skull was found in a Wedge-tailed eagle’s nest by P. Hanisch at Steele Gap in the Simpson Desert, Northern Territory, in 1967. The bone was still relatively fresh, and was estimated to be less than 15 years old.

The Greater Bilby wasn't far behind before the establishment of 'the Bilby Fence' in Currawinya National Park. The fence stops foxes, dingoes, feral dogs and cats from preying on the vulnerable marsupials, and competition from rabbits, and ensures the survival of this 'insurance population' of bilbies.

This week Channel 10 aired 'Bilby Dreams' over the Easter long weekend - great timing considering the Greater Bilby has been held up as an alternative Easter icon as part of a campaign to raise awareness about its plight.

'Bilby Dreams' is a documentary following the inspirational journey of Peter McRae and Frank Manthey, sees the two men pioneer a national fund, a protected colony and a breeding program in an effort to save the bilby from extinction. 

This is the story of two men who’ve dedicated the last 10 years to saving a species. They’ve done so well, it could be a model for the future, helping many other threatened animals.