Eastern Barred Bandicoot Project

Eastern barred bandicoots are relatively widespread in Tasmania, but numbers are declining due to threats from habitat loss (fragmentation and degradation), predation by cats and dogs, and disease transmission by cats. The preferred native habitat for this species is grassy woodlands and native grasslands with good cover like tussocks and low shrubs in which to hide from predators. Unfortunately, much of this habitat has already been cleared for agricultural and residential development. Through wildlife monitoring activities, key population areas have been identified to focus revegetation efforts where they are likely to achieve maximum benefit for the species.

The eastern barred bandicoot is a small mammal which occurs only in south-eastern Australia. According to the Australian Government's Recovery Plan for Eastern Barred Bandicoot (mainland), the Tasmanian and mainland populations are recognised as distinct subspecies, although these have not been formally named.

The mainland subspecies, formerly listed as extinct in the wild, was reclassified as endangered in 2021, after an extensive captive breeding and release program established populations on a number of islands and on several properties where foxes have been excluded through fencing. The Tasmanian subspecies is currently listed under the EPBC Act as vulnerable. Its distribution often overlaps with Eucalyptus ovata (Black gum) – Callitris oblonga forest, and areas of Tasmanian lowland native grasslands, both threatened ecological communities under the EPBC Act.

The project is building on previous work undertaken by several project partners (NRM North, Greening Australia, Tasmanian Land Conservancy) to achieve landscape-scale habitat enhancement for eastern barred bandicoot and other species throughout the target region.

Delivery of the project will include:

• native vegetation protection, restoration and creation works with a focus on increasing eastern barred bandicoot habitat in the target areas;
• encouraging and facilitating land management practice change by private landholders through the provision of advice and planning towards best practice management for threatened species and communities;
• funding and supporting scientific research into the species to increase knowledge on their habitat preferences, reaction to habitat enhancement, landscape genetics and response to predators such as cats.
• engaging private landholders in citizen science monitoring, with a focus on threatened mammals; and
• providing community education, facilitating the creation of habitat refuges and promoting responsible management of pet dogs and cats, in urban areas and townships throughout the region.