A previously extinct marsupial species, the eastern barred bandicoot, has been successfully reintroduced in Australia through a breeding program aimed at ensuring its survival. The species was declared extinct in the wild in 1991 when only around 60 individuals remained, primarily living in a rubbish tip in Victoria during the late 1980s.
Past efforts to reintroduce the eastern barred bandicoot were hindered by inbreeding issues. However, a groundbreaking gene-mixing technique has now been utilized to breed mainland Australian bandicoots with their Tasmanian counterparts. These populations have been genetically isolated from each other for over 10,000 years.
The initiative to save the eastern barred bandicoot from extinction received support from Amazon’s Right Now Climate Fund, underscoring the company’s dedication to climate innovation. Additionally, the fund is backing various conservation projects in Australia, including breeding programs, wildlife sanctuary maintenance, animal translocation efforts, and educational tours.
Michael Miller, Vice President of Amazon, remarked on the remarkable recovery of the bandicoots, once absent from mainland Australia. He emphasized the significance of the science-driven genetic rescue program, which is not only backed by scientific research but also scalable and transformative for conservation efforts. Miller also highlighted the potential of this methodology to aid in the preservation of endangered species worldwide.
The genetic rescue program was a collaborative effort led by the Odonata Foundation, Cesar Australia, and the Eastern Barred Bandicoot Recovery Team. The burrowing activities of eastern barred bandicoots contribute to soil health and landscape resilience against floods and droughts. These bandicoots will be relocated to a minimum of five different sites across Australia in an effort to establish a population of at least 500 individuals spread across multiple locations, reducing the risk of extinction due to natural disasters.
With a AU$2.5 million (US$1.8 million) contribution from the Right Now Climate Fund, efforts to restore endangered species populations in Australia are underway. The three-year project aims to safeguard not only the eastern barred bandicoot but also other species like the eastern quoll and southern brush-tailed rock-wallaby.
Dr. Andrew Weeks, director of Cesar Australia and science advisor to Odonata, expressed confidence in the project’s success, noting that a healthier and genetically diverse bandicoot population has been established, significantly improving their chances of survival compared to their inbred predecessors.