The bilby, a unique Australian marsupial, often sparks questions about its existence. Despite common misconceptions, bilbies are not extinct; they are very much alive.
Bilbies Are Not Extinct
The greater bilby (Macrotis lagotis) is alive, though its populations are fragmented. This burrowing marsupial is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN Red List and nationally under Australia’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. While vulnerable in the Northern Territory, Western Australia, and South Australia, and endangered in Queensland, it is presumed extinct in New South Wales, though reintroduction efforts are changing this.
Bilbies are medium-sized marsupials, with males weighing up to 2.5 kilograms and a body length between 30 and 55 centimeters. They have soft, silky blue-grey fur, a long, pointed snout, and large, pinkish, rabbit-like ears. Their strong forelimbs and powerful claws are adapted for digging, and they have a distinctive black and white tail.
These nocturnal animals forage after dark for insects, seeds, bulbs, and fungi. They obtain all necessary moisture from their diet, rarely needing to drink water. Bilbies construct intricate burrow systems, up to three meters long and two meters deep, providing shelter from harsh daytime heat and predators.
Historically, the greater bilby inhabited approximately 70% of mainland Australia, but its range has reduced to about 10-20% of its original distribution. Today, wild populations are primarily found in Australia’s arid and semi-arid regions, including parts of the Tanami Desert (Northern Territory), the Great Sandy and Gibson Deserts, the Pilbara and Kimberley regions (Western Australia), and southwest Queensland.
Understanding Their Vulnerability
The misconception that bilbies are extinct stems from their significant decline and rarity. This decline is largely attributed to several interconnected factors, primarily introduced predators like feral cats and red foxes.
Habitat loss and degradation also play a substantial role in the bilby’s vulnerable status. Land clearing for agriculture, pastoralism, and other developments has fragmented and reduced their living spaces. Competition for food and resources with introduced herbivores like European rabbits and livestock further stresses bilby populations.
Changes in fire regimes, moving away from traditional Indigenous burning practices, have negatively impacted bilby habitats. Large, intense wildfires remove extensive vegetation cover, exposing bilbies to predators and reducing food sources. These pressures have led to a dramatic reduction in the bilby’s range and population numbers since European settlement.
Working Towards Bilby Survival
Despite challenges, efforts are underway to protect bilbies and support their recovery. Conservation initiatives focus on reducing threats and rebuilding populations through predator control programs targeting feral cats and foxes in critical habitats.
A significant strategy involves establishing predator-free enclosures and sanctuaries. These fenced areas exclude introduced predators, providing secure environments for bilbies to live and breed without constant threat. Examples include Currawinya National Park, Arid Recovery, and Taronga Western Plains Zoo.
Within these protected areas, captive breeding programs, managed by organizations like the Zoo and Aquarium Association, ensure genetic diversity and provide individuals for reintroduction.
Reintroduction efforts involve releasing captive-bred or translocated bilbies into suitable, predator-free habitats within their former range. Habitat protection and management are ongoing, including acquiring land for protected areas and implementing appropriate fire management practices, such as traditional patch burning, to maintain healthy ecosystems. Community involvement, including awareness campaigns and the sale of chocolate bilbies, helps raise funds and public consciousness about their plight.
Research and monitoring programs assess bilby populations and the effectiveness of conservation interventions. Indigenous communities play a significant role in bilby conservation, as over 70% of wild bilbies are found on Indigenous lands, and their traditional ecological knowledge is invaluable for effective land management. These combined efforts offer a hopeful outlook for the greater bilby’s long-term survival.