Bilby Conservation

The bilby's last main wild stronghold is in Aboriginal lands of the Tanami, Gibson and Great Sandy Deserts area of Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Various communities through the area are working with the Threatened Species Network to carry out survey and monitoring activities, and control feral predators. Warlpiri people from Yuendumu have recently tested an ingenious new fox-baiting device that promises to be safe for dingoes, bilbies, goannas and birds.

Bilbies are also being provided with safe havens such as the Peron Peninsula, WA. This 1000 km² peninsula forms the west side of Shark Bay and has been fenced off at its neck from the rest of Australia in an attempt to reconstruct an entire ecosystem in the aptly named Project Eden. Alongside the dolphins of Monkey Mia, as many as possible of the original range of native animals - including the bilby - are being successfully re-introduced.

Conservation Status:

Commonwealth: Vulnerable (Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999)

Northern Territory: Endangered (Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 2000)

Western Australia: Endangered (Wildlife Conservation Act 1950)

Queensland: Endangered (Nature Conservation Act 1992)

South Australia: Endangered (National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972)