The eastern barred bandicoot, declared extinct in the wild in 1991, is making a comeback on Phillip Island through a genetic rescue programme. By the late 1980s, only 60 bandicoots remained, found among abandoned cars in a Victoria rubbish tip. The programme crossbreeds mainland Australian bandicoots with those from Tasmania, two populations isolated for over 10,000 years, to address genetic inbreeding that caused a fault called 'undershot jaw'.
52 million) to support the reintroduction. Up to 100 bandicoots have been released onto Phillip Island. The bandicoots are ecosystem engineers that improve soil health, seed dispersal, water retention, and nutrient cycling; their burrowing strengthens landscapes against flood and drought.
The most powerful part of this story is genetic rescue.
The goal is to build a population of at least 500 animals across a minimum of five locations. The three-year project will also help save the eastern quoll and southern brush-tailed rock-wallaby. ' Michael Miller, Amazon VP, added: '30 years ago, these bandicoots were gone from mainland Australia.
30 years ago, these bandicoots were gone from mainland Australia. What makes their recovery incredible is the science behind it - a genetic rescue program which is science-backed, scalable, and transformative for conservation. The same methodology could help save endangered animals all over the world.