Better protection for our Easter bilbies

Australia’s answer to the Easter Bunny, the Greater Bilby, is being given another chance to bounce around this Easter.

Once inhabiting two-thirds of Australia, Bilby populations are now reduced to 15% of our land, largely in Central Australia.

Sadly, the Greater Bilby is listed as vulnerable under environmental law. It is at risk of extinction from habitat loss, introduced predators like cats and foxes, and fire.

That’s why the Albanese Labor Government has announced a new plan to guide the protection and recovery of this iconic species.

The new Recovery Plan draws on First Nations knowledge and western science to help bring this precious species further back from the brink. It includes activities like research and management by Traditional Owners, removing and managing feral species, and repairing Bilby habitats.

The Government is also investing more than $5 million in programs to protect the Greater Bilby. This includes almost $1.6 million to manage threats to bilbies in Central Australia, especially fire and feral predators.

The new Recovery Plan for the Greater Bilby has been prepared by Indigenous organisations and communities, conservation groups, zoos and wildlife organisations, researchers, and governments.

Environment Ministers from Western Australia, South Australia, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia and New South Wales have all signed on to make the recovery plan a reality.

Quotes attributable to Minister for the Environment and Water, the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP:

“With its pink ears, soft grey coat, and little bouncy feet, the Greater Bilby is an iconic Australian animal.

“We want to make sure it can be a beloved Easter icon for generations. That means tackling threats like rabbits, an invasive animal whose eating and digging threatens over 300 native species.

“We know that feral cats and foxes, fires, and habitat clearing all threaten the Greater Bilby. We need to lift our game to meet our target of zero new extinctions, and this Recovery Plan is another step to make that a reality.”