Easter bunny’s Aussie cousin thriving at NT sanctuary

Bilby populations are booming at an NT site, highlighting the power of conservation efforts in Central Australia’s predator-free sanctuaries.

Bilby that was found during a recent survey. Picture: Supplied

Fenced away in a predator free area in the Newhaven Wildlife Sanctuary located near Lake Mackay in the Territory’s south west, the Australian version of the Easter bunny, the Bilby, is thriving.

The Newhaven site is one of six set up across the country but it is the site that has seen one of the largest spikes in population growth since the 2023 census.

Bilby caught on motion sensor. Picture: Supplied

Wildlife ecologist Dr Tim Henderson said the population boom at Newhaven was great to see and also a boon for other species in the area.

“At Newhaven, Bilby burrows are completely transforming the landscape,” he said.

“They’re popping up everywhere, even on our access tracks which can make it a little difficult for us to get around but it’s great to see.

“All this burrowing is reinvigorating the landscape, and it’s not just Bilbies which benefit. We sometimes see multiple species using Bilby burrows, including Golden Bandicoots and Burrowing Bettongs.

“Bilbies will normally dig a single burrow, then Burrowing Bettongs will come in and renovate it into a multi-entrance complex. This level of earthwork is incredible.”

Ecologist taking measurements of a Bilby found at a recent survey. Picture: Supplied

The 9450 hectare predator-free fenced area in Newhaven became home to 66 bilbies in 2022 as part of the Australian Wildlife Conservancy’s program to bring back at least 10 locally-extinct species to Central Australia.

The bilbies were reintroduced to the area after being absent for more than 60 years and are now prevalent throughout the area.

Motion-sensor cameras throughout the safe haven were picking up bilbies at 10 to 20 per cent of the site only 18 months ago, now they are constantly being detected at more than 50 per cent.

“This is great news because it indicates that their population is growing and they’re occupying a lot of the available habitat,” Mr Henderson said.