Backing the bilby this Easter

Over 20,000 hectares of habitat for Australia’s iconic marsupial, the Greater Bilby, has now been managed against key threats through three successful programs funded by the Albanese Government. More than $8 million has been invested towards the protection and long-term survival of the Bilby, through the Albanese Government’s Saving Native Species program, the Natural Heritage Trust, and the National Environmental Science Program.

The Greater Bilby is also a priority species under the Government’s Threatened Species Action Plan. Bilbies are found in the wild in Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland, and have been successfully translocated to areas in South Australia and New South Wales where feral predators are either managed intensively or entirely excluded. Foxes, feral cats and increased frequency of bushfires are key threats.

Successful management works funded by the Albanese Government include: Over 770 hectares of predator management undertaken by the Western Deserts Lands Aboriginal Corporation and Queensland Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Industry to manage feral cats and foxes in Western Australia and Queensland. Over 20,000 hectares of cultural fire management undertaken by KJ Martu Indigenous Rangers and supported by the Rangelands Natural Resource Management (NRM) to manage habitat and threats to the Greater Bilby and other threatened species in the East Pilbara.

This work aims to reduce the frequency of large, severe wildfires that reduce the Bilby’s habitat and food availability. Researchers from the Indigenous Desert Alliance are also providing scientific support to desert ranger groups to co-develop monitoring programs for the Greater Bilby and two other culturally important desert species, the Night Parrot and Great Desert Skink.

These programs will help to improve our knowledge of the Bilby’s numbers and whereabouts to inform future management activities. Healthy Bilby habitats are also linked to the ongoing land management carried out by First Nations groups who play a critical role in Bilby conservation. Minister for the Environment and Water, Murray Watt said the Albanese Government is supporting iconic Australian species and the habitats they call home.

“Sometimes considered to be Australia’s Easter Bunny, the Bilby is one of Australia’s most recognised marsupials. These programs are helping to safeguard the Bilby’s future so it can be around for generations to come. “Across the country, the Albanese Government is investing more than $700 million to better protect our threatened plants and animals and tackle the feral animals and weeds devasting our native species.” Images of the Greater Bilby can be found We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture.

We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.