Greater Bilby populations double according to national wildlife census. Source: Queensland Government, Wikimedia Commons
The Greater Bilby population has doubled in protected areas throughout Australia, according to the results of the Australian Wildlife Conservancy census.
This census was carried out over the past 12 months in protected areas across the nation, including Yookamurra Wildlife Sanctuary in South Australia.
The results of the census showed that Greater Bilby populations in protected areas have risen from 1,480 in the previous year to 3,315 in the past year.
Australian Wildlife Conservancy ecologist, Aly Ross, said that the population increase is likely due to both good weather conditions and conservation efforts.
“The drought in 2018 and 2019 really knocked a lot of our populations around,” Dr Ross said.
“But now we’ve had a bit of rain and there’s things growing and stuff to eat, so those bilbies are doing a lot better which is great to see.”
Just last week, federal Environment and Water Minister, Tanya Plibersek, revealed $5 million dollars’ worth of new programs to protect Greater Bilbies, including $1.6 million being put towards managing threats, such as fire and feral predators, in Central Australia.
These new programs have been created in collaboration with Indigenous organisations, conservation groups, zoos, and wildlife organisations.
The Greater Bilby is a unique and beautiful animal native to Australia, and since the extinction of the Lesser Bilby in the 1950s, efforts to protect this species are critical.
Ms Plibersek said “we want to make sure it can be a beloved Easter icon for generations. That means tackling threats like rabbits, an invasive animal whose eating and digging threatens over 300 native species.”
