Bilbies return to Sturt after 100 years

More than a century after they were declared extinct, Greater Bilbies have been reintroduced to Sturt National Park to start a species-led renovation of their desert ecosystem.

In a collaboration between UNSW ecologists, NSW National Parks and Wildlife and Taronga Conservation Society, Greater Bilbies have been released into UNSW’s Wild Deserts project at Sturt National Park for the first time in 100 years. Picture: Rick Stevens

1/10In a collaboration between UNSW ecologists, NSW National Parks and Wildlife and Taronga Conservation Society, Greater Bilbies have been released into UNSW’s Wild Deserts project at Sturt National Park for the first time in 100 years. Picture: Rick Stevens

They have been cared for at the Greater Bilby breeding program at Taronga Western Plains, one of the country’s most important threatened species initiatives. Picture: Rick Stevens

2/10They have been cared for at the Greater Bilby breeding program at Taronga Western Plains, one of the country’s most important threatened species initiatives. Picture: Rick Stevens

Prior to the release, the Greater Bilbies were given a final health check at the Taronga Western Plains Zoo’s Wildlife Hospital before travelling to the desert. Picture: Rick Stevens

3/10Prior to the release, the Greater Bilbies were given a final health check at the Taronga Western Plains Zoo’s Wildlife Hospital before travelling to the desert. Picture: Rick Stevens

Some were even carrying extra cargo, as a pouch check of this bilby revealed. With an estimated 9000 bilbies left in Australia, the Wild Deserts project hopes to increase their population by 17 per cent. Picture: Rick Stevens

4/10Some were even carrying extra cargo, as a pouch check of this bilby revealed. With an estimated 9000 bilbies left in Australia, the Wild Deserts project hopes to increase their population by 17 per cent. Picture: Rick Stevens

5/10An aircraft carrying precious cargo from Taronga Western Plains Zoo heads to Sturt National Park.

The Wild Deserts project has created one of the largest, feral-animal-free areas in Australia within Sturt National Park, giving the reintroduced bilbies a chance to start species-led renovation of their desert ecosystem.

6/10The Wild Deserts project has created one of the largest, feral-animal-free areas in Australia within Sturt National Park, giving the reintroduced bilbies a chance to start species-led renovation of their desert ecosystem.

Leroy Johnson meets the flight to collect the new arrivals. Wongkumara Traditional Owners are celebrating the release of the marsupials back into the wild after 100 years.

7/10Leroy Johnson meets the flight to collect the new arrivals. Wongkumara Traditional Owners are celebrating the release of the marsupials back into the wild after 100 years.

Steve Kleinig of Taronga Western Plains. The team says the desert ecosystem will be restored with the Greater Bilbies acting as ‘ecosystem engineers’.

8/10Steve Kleinig of Taronga Western Plains. The team says the desert ecosystem will be restored with the Greater Bilbies acting as ‘ecosystem engineers’.

9/10Taronga Conservation Society Australia CEO Cameron Kerr releasing a Greater Bilbies just 11 months after the zoo’s program began in Dubbo.

Exerts hope the little marsupial will help turn back time by restoring the Australian bush to what it should be – alive with small mammals. Picture: Rick Stevens

10/10Exerts hope the little marsupial will help turn back time by restoring the Australian bush to what it should be – alive with small mammals. Picture: Rick Stevens

Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/photos/bilbies-return-to-sturt-after-100-years/image-gallery/f029724349be88aafc4ed65b44b67b56