From Dump to Paradise - Saving the Eastern Barred Bandicoot from Extinction (Short)
Channel: The Royal Society of Victoria
Date: 21/09/2021

In 1988, the Eastern Barred Bandicoot Recovery Team was formed here in Victoria, Australia to respond to the continued population decline of the mainland population, sending this species dangerously close to extinction. One of the last places this bandicoot could be found in the wild was at the Hamilton rubbish tip; 33 years later, Eastern Barred Bandicoot populations now persist in several safe havens, including fenced sites and islands free of foxes, their biggest threat.

While much work remains to be done, the Eastern Barred Bandicoot is now well on the way to recovery; as of September 2021, the species is off the "extinct in the wild" list and back to "endangered" status, a world's first. This gives us hope that, with persistence and dedication, government and non-government organisations working together, and effective community engagement, we can save these and many other threatened species from extinction.

Dr Amy Coetsee is a Threatened Species Biologist @ZoosVictoria, who has been integral to the conduct of the rewilding program on French Island in Victoria's Westernport Bay. Here she explores this long-term campaign to establish populations of the Eastern Barred Bandicoot in discrete locations across the state, and the important relationships that must be sustained with local communities to enable the success of this species’ recovery.

Recorded via Zoom during Melbourne's full COVID lockdown conditions (apologies for the quality compromise), and produced with the support of the Inspiring Victoria program. Full presentation available at https://youtu.be/z17KhCddnBQ.