Bandicoots are fascinating marsupials native to the Australia-New Guinea region, but a common question is whether they are extinct. While some species have vanished, bandicoots as a whole are not extinct. This article clarifies common misconceptions about bandicoots, discusses their current status, and highlights conservation efforts.
Are Bandicoots Extinct?
Bandicoots are not extinct; more than 20 species of these small to medium-sized marsupials still inhabit Australia, New Guinea, and nearby islands. These terrestrial, largely nocturnal omnivores are characterized by their V-shaped faces, prominent pointed snouts, and strong claws used for digging. They play an ecological role by turning over soil, which aids in decomposition and nutrient cycling.
While many species thrive, some bandicoot species have sadly become extinct. The Desert Bandicoot (Perameles eremiana) is an extinct species, last potentially sighted in the 1970s in arid central Australia. Another notable extinction is the Pig-footed Bandicoot, from a distinct family. However, several species persist, including the Long-nosed Bandicoot found along Australia’s east coast and the Northern Brown Bandicoot, distributed across northern and eastern Australia and southern Papua New Guinea. The Southern Brown Bandicoot also exists, with a patchy distribution across southeastern Australia.
Why the Confusion?
The misconception about bandicoot extinction stems from historical losses and current challenges faced by many species. Several bandicoot species, including the Western Barred Bandicoot on the mainland, disappeared due to habitat loss and predation by introduced species. Feral cats and foxes, introduced to Australia, are significant predators contributing to the decline and extinction of many native mammals, including bandicoots.
Beyond these historical extinctions, many surviving bandicoot populations have experienced substantial declines and range contractions. For example, the Southern Brown Bandicoot’s range has shrunk by 50-90% since European settlement, leaving them in small, isolated groups. This reduction makes them rare or locally extinct where they once flourished. Their nocturnal and elusive nature means they are rarely seen, contributing to the perception they are gone. Habitat destruction and fragmentation from urbanization, land clearing, agriculture, and frequent bushfires continue to threaten their existence, isolating populations and increasing their vulnerability.
Conservation Status and Efforts
Bandicoot species’ conservation status varies, from “Least Concern” to “Endangered” or “Vulnerable.” For example, the mainland Eastern Barred Bandicoot was once declared extinct in the wild in 2013 but has since been reclassified as “Endangered” due to successful conservation efforts. Similarly, the Southern Brown Bandicoot is considered “Endangered” in some regions, despite being listed as “Least Concern” overall by the IUCN Red List, reflecting its declining populations and fragmented distribution.
Efforts are underway to protect bandicoots and help their populations recover. Habitat preservation and restoration are crucial, often involving removing introduced herbivores that compete for food and damage vegetation. Control programs for introduced predators like foxes and feral cats are also implemented, as they pose a major threat. Captive breeding programs have been instrumental, particularly for species like the Eastern Barred Bandicoot, with hundreds of individuals bred and reintroduced to protected areas. These reintroduction sites often include predator-exclusion fences or are on fox-free islands to enhance survival rates. Community awareness campaigns and citizen science initiatives also monitor populations and engage the public in conservation. Research into bandicoot ecology and threats continues to inform and improve these strategies.