Eastern Barred Bandicoot (mainland population)
The mainland Eastern Barred Bandicoot is listed as Endangered.
These small nocturnal marsupials were once widespread across the grassy woodlands of western Victoria and South Australia.
The decline of the Eastern Barred Bandicoot is primarily due to predation from foxes and habitat loss.
The Eastern Barred Bandicoot Conservation Status has changed.
In 1989 the total population of Eastern Barred Bandicoots was fewer than 150 and in 2013, the species was declared Extinct in the Wild on mainland Australia. We are thrilled to share that the conservation status of the Eastern Barred Bandicoot has been reclassified from Extinct in the Wild to Endangered. The changed status is a first for an Australian threatened species and enables Zoos Victoria to end its 30-year captive breeding and insurance program.
The plan for recovery
Zoos Victoria has partnered with several organisations to play a key role in the recovery of this species.
Since 1991, Zoos Victoria has bred more than 650 bandicoots. Now there are four reintroduced populations protected by predator-exclusion fences on the mainland and introduced populations on three fox-free islands (Churchill, Phillip and French Islands).
Our partners
Our partners in the recovery of the Eastern Barred Bandicoot are members from Conservation Volunteers Australia, Department of Environment, Energy and Climate Action (DEECA), Glenelg-Hopkins CMA, Mt Rothwell Biodiversity Interpretation Centre, National Trust of Australia (Victoria), Odonata Foundation, Parks Victoria, Phillip Island Nature Parks, University of Melbourne, and Tiverton Rothwell Partners.
How you can help
- Do what you can to increase community awareness and support for the Eastern Barred Bandicoot.
- By visiting our zoos, you are supporting our fighting extinction work.
- Donate if you can. As a not-for-profit organisation, all donations go towards our important conservation efforts.
- Discover more about local conservation events and join the growing number of activists taking action for local wildlife.
Is your classroom learning about the Eastern Barred Bandicoot?
Browse through our collection of animal teaching and learning resources for students. These include animal toolkits, e-books, Ask a Zoo Expert resources, video showcases and real-world examples to support the VCE Study Design.
Zoos Victoria is fighting to save the mainland population of Eastern Barred Bandicoots from extinction.
