Gold Coast’s Dreamworld playing part to save bilbies from extinction

A GOLD Coast theme park is leading the charge to save the country’s dwindling bilby population after hundreds were “slaughtered” by feral cats in 2012.

A GOLD Coast theme park is leading the charge to save the country’s dwindling bilby population after hundreds were “slaughtered” by feral cats in 2012.

When Cyclone Oswald tore through Queensland it rusted protective fences in Currawinya National Park letting dozens of hungry cats into the state’s bilby reserve.

Dreamworld bilby handler Ali Wright with one of the park’s bilbies. Photo: Mike Batterham

Within 18 months most of the park’s 200 bilbies were dead and the area had been overrun by feral cats.

Yesterday the State Government set aside $700,000 to secure the national park with fencing and Dreamworld has launched a breeding program to bolster the state’s remaining bilby population of about 400.

Save the Bilby Fund chairman Al Mucci said without support, the bilby would soon be extinct.

“The fences rusted because of the flood water and the cats just came in,” he said.

“The slaughtered every bilby there and then just took over.

One of Dreamworld’s bilbies. Photo: Mike Batterham

Ali Wright with two of the parks bilbies set to take part in a breeding program. Picture Mike Batterham

“It is tragic because Queensland is one of the only places in the country that still has these animals and we need to protect them.

“I welcome the decision from the State Government to support this breeding program and create a haven for these creatures.”

Environment and National Parks Minister Steven Miles said the upgraded predator-proof fencing would be flood-resistant and bushfire-proof.

“The lower portion of the fence will be replaced with high grade PVC-coated chain wire and sections of the fence most prone to water inundation will be replaced with high-grade stainless steel netting, filled with rocks to prevent erosion from occurring and to prevent predators from burrowing under the fence,” he said.

“The ‘floppy top’ which stops predators such as cats climbing over will also be reinforced by Save the Bilby Fund.

“These improvements will future-proof the enclosure for approximately 30 years ensuring that bilbies released into the enclosure will have the best possible chance of survival.”

Mr Mucci urged Easter shoppers to support efforts by buying chocolate bilbies this year.