Distribution
Once occupying 70% of mainland Australia, the bilby is now restricted to the Sandy desert and Gibson desert of Western Australia, the Tanami Desert in the Northern Territory and a small population near Birdsville in Queensland.
Reintroduced populations also now exisit in small numbers in New South Wales, Thistle Island, South Australia and Western Australia (The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013).
To explore the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species distribution map click here
Conservation status
The greater bilby is one of the only surviving medium sized native mammal remaining in arid australia and the only surviving member of Thylacomyidae after the extinction of the lesser bilby. It once inhabited 70% of Australia with habitat changes resulting in their decline now only surviving in patches in northern Western Asutralia, the Northern Territory, South Australia and Queensland (Humble 2006). Since its first classifcation in 1837 the greater bilby has since been listed as extinct, vulnerable and endangered in a number of Australian states (Department of the Enviroment 2013).
2011- Listed as Vulnerable, SA (National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972)
- Listed as Vulnerable (IUCN Red List of Threatened Species)
2012- Listed as Vulnerable, NT (Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 2000)
- Listed as Endangered, QLD (Nature Conservation Act 1992)
- Listed as Vulnerable, WA (Wildlife Conservation Act 1950)
2013- Listed as presumed Extinct, NSW (Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995)
(Department of the Enviroment 2013; The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013).
Threats
Since European settlement the greater bilby has endured significant reduction in range and population. The establishment of invasive predators such as feral cats, the dingo, red foxes and herbivoures who compete for resources and degrade land such as the European rabbits and livestock have all significantly promoted the decline of the greater bibly (Southgate & Possingham 1995). Similarly introduced diseases have impacted dramatically on the greater bibly (Department of Enviroment 2011). With no natural immunity the bilby is susceptible to diseases and infections from introduced animals and often perish as consequence (Johnson 1989). Parasites and Diseases are often acquired when digging in holes previoudly occupied by infected animals or when coming into contact with feaces. Introduction of livetsock, Agriculture and European rabbits have diminshed food and habitat resources (The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013). Similarly human developemt and human impacts such as road kills are eliminating bilby numbers, available habitat and resources (Southgate & Possingham 1995). The introduction of artificial watering points has enabled exotic predators to roam farther into the bilbies range. Changed fire regimes have also altered vegetation and habitat meaning a decreases in available resources (Department of Enviroment 2011).
Recovery
In occordance to Australian law, greater bilbies are protected and a number of projects to recoup the greater bilby and control invasive species are currently underway (Department of Enviroment 2011).
A number of recovery plans have been implemented by the Australian government including the National Recovery Plan for Macrotis lagotis of which aims to improve conservation by;
To read more on the National Recover Plan follow click here
To read more on the Currawunya National Park Bilby fence and The Save The Bilby Fund click here
To read more on the Kanyan Wildlife Bilby Breeding programme click here
Once occupying 70% of mainland Australia, the bilby is now restricted to the Sandy desert and Gibson desert of Western Australia, the Tanami Desert in the Northern Territory and a small population near Birdsville in Queensland.
Reintroduced populations also now exisit in small numbers in New South Wales, Thistle Island, South Australia and Western Australia (The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013).
To explore the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species distribution map click here
Conservation status
The greater bilby is one of the only surviving medium sized native mammal remaining in arid australia and the only surviving member of Thylacomyidae after the extinction of the lesser bilby. It once inhabited 70% of Australia with habitat changes resulting in their decline now only surviving in patches in northern Western Asutralia, the Northern Territory, South Australia and Queensland (Humble 2006). Since its first classifcation in 1837 the greater bilby has since been listed as extinct, vulnerable and endangered in a number of Australian states (Department of the Enviroment 2013).
2011- Listed as Vulnerable, SA (National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972)
- Listed as Vulnerable (IUCN Red List of Threatened Species)
2012- Listed as Vulnerable, NT (Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 2000)
- Listed as Endangered, QLD (Nature Conservation Act 1992)
- Listed as Vulnerable, WA (Wildlife Conservation Act 1950)
2013- Listed as presumed Extinct, NSW (Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995)
(Department of the Enviroment 2013; The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013).
Threats
Since European settlement the greater bilby has endured significant reduction in range and population. The establishment of invasive predators such as feral cats, the dingo, red foxes and herbivoures who compete for resources and degrade land such as the European rabbits and livestock have all significantly promoted the decline of the greater bibly (Southgate & Possingham 1995). Similarly introduced diseases have impacted dramatically on the greater bibly (Department of Enviroment 2011). With no natural immunity the bilby is susceptible to diseases and infections from introduced animals and often perish as consequence (Johnson 1989). Parasites and Diseases are often acquired when digging in holes previoudly occupied by infected animals or when coming into contact with feaces. Introduction of livetsock, Agriculture and European rabbits have diminshed food and habitat resources (The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013). Similarly human developemt and human impacts such as road kills are eliminating bilby numbers, available habitat and resources (Southgate & Possingham 1995). The introduction of artificial watering points has enabled exotic predators to roam farther into the bilbies range. Changed fire regimes have also altered vegetation and habitat meaning a decreases in available resources (Department of Enviroment 2011).
Recovery
In occordance to Australian law, greater bilbies are protected and a number of projects to recoup the greater bilby and control invasive species are currently underway (Department of Enviroment 2011).
A number of recovery plans have been implemented by the Australian government including the National Recovery Plan for Macrotis lagotis of which aims to improve conservation by;
- reducing the impact of predation
- maintaining genetic diversity
- managing size of remaining populations
- controlled managment of a captive breeding program with help of a studbook
- Introduce populations in former ranges
- Monitor trends in abundance
- Assess impact of threatening processes
- Educated and inform the community in the recovery (Department of Enviroment 2011)
To read more on the National Recover Plan follow click here
To read more on the Currawunya National Park Bilby fence and The Save The Bilby Fund click here
To read more on the Kanyan Wildlife Bilby Breeding programme click here