The eastern barred bandicoot (Perameles gunnii), a rabbit-sized marsupial declared extinct in the wild on the Australian mainland in 1991, is once again living in freedom thanks to a pioneering genetic rescue program.
This week, conservationists released up to 100 specimens on Phillip Island, near Melbourne, marking a milestone in the recovery of the species.
The recovery program
The initiative is led by the Odonata Foundation, Cesar Australia, and the Eastern Barred Bandicoot Recovery Team, which have been carefully breeding these animals in safe havens since 2004.
- The population increased from just 60 individuals in the 1980s to more than 2,000 specimens in captivity and predator-free enclosures.
- The Amazon Right Now Climate Fund contributed 2.5 million Australian dollars to support the restoration of threatened species, including the largest reintroduction of bandicoots into the wild to date.
Ecosystem engineers
Bandicoots play a key role in Australian landscapes:
- Their digging habits improve soil health.
- They promote seed dispersal and water retention.
- They contribute to the nutrient cycle, reinforcing ecosystem resilience against floods and droughts.
The genetic challenge
The recovery faced a hurdle: inbreeding. The low genetic diversity caused defects such as the “protruding lower jaw,” which made digging and feeding difficult. To solve this, the Odonata Foundation crossbred specimens from the mainland Australia with populations from Tasmania, separated evolutionarily for over 10,000 years.
- The result was a stronger and healthier population, with greater genetic diversity, better sex ratios, and larger body size.
- The goal is to establish at least 500 animals in five different locations, reducing the risk of extinction from natural disasters.
A pioneering approach
Dr. Andrew Weeks, director of Cesar Australia, highlighted that genetic rescue is the most decisive part of the story: “Thanks to a pioneering approach of genetic mixing, we have created a vigorous and resilient population, with much superior genetic health and many more chances of survival”.
Over the next three years, the released bandicoots will be monitored through ongoing genetic testing to assess the stability of the population.
Recognition and collaboration
Odonata’s operations director, Matt Singleton, emphasized that this milestone is the result of years of joint work and thanked the support of the traditional owners Eastern Maar and Bunurong, who maintain a deep cultural connection with the species and were key in the release.
The return of the eastern barred bandicoot to freedom in Australia is an inspiring example of how science, conservation, and community collaboration can reverse extinction. This marsupial, which once survived among abandoned cars in a landfill, now reclaims its place as an ecosystem engineer, reinforcing the hope that biodiversity can recover with effort and commitment.
