Eastern barred bandicoot  (Perameles gunnii)

Mainland populations of eastern barred bandicoots have been devastated as a result of habitat loss, with almost 99 percent of the original habitat destroyed or modified, and through predation by introduced species. Although the species suffers from predation by native snakes, raptors, carnivorous marsupials and, formerly, by dingoes and aboriginal humans, this is now far outweighed by predation by, and competition with, introduced species. The most devastating predators are the introduced red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and domestic cat (Felis catus) and dog (Canis familiaris). The introduced European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) also impacts the eastern barred bandicoot by reducing habitat through excessive grazing, possibly excluding bandicoots from favoured shelter areas, and perhaps competing for food. Toxoplasmosis has been reported in the eastern barred bandicoot in both Tasmania and Victoria, with cats thought to be the probable carrier of the infection. Poisoning by pesticides, collisions with motor vehicles, fires and accidental trappings in rabbit snares are other significant causes of mortality (1).

Mainland bandicoots, which have declined far more dramatically than on Tasmania, have been brought back from the brink of extinction by an intensive captive breeding and re-introduction programme (3). Captive breeding was first carried out at the Serendip Wildlife Research Station in 1972, although primarily for research purposes rather than breeding for reintroductions (7). At the same time, local conservation actions were initiated at Hamilton, the focus of the remaining population (1). The Serendip captive colony closed down by 1979 but, in 1988, another captive colony was established in large pens at Woodlands Historic Park, and an intensive captive breeding programme was carried out to produce offspring for release into the nature reserve. In 1992, the Zoological Parks and Gardens Board of Victoria assumed responsibility for captive breeding (7). Captive-bred individuals from here have since been released at seven reintroduction sites (7), including two protected by fox proof fences at Hamilton Community Parklands and Woodlands Historic Park, three released into the wild at ‘Mooramong’ near Skipton, Lake Goldsmith Wildlife Reserve near Beaufort and Floating Islands Nature Reserve near Colac, and one on a private property ‘Lanark’ at Branxholme (8). As a result of these efforts, there is now a total population of around 2000 individuals (3). Despite concentrated predator control efforts at Floating Islands and Lake Goldsmith, the populations at these sites have struggled and are now considered lost completely from Floating Islands (8). A studbook has also been established to manage the genetic stability of the captive population (7).

Although the population in Tasmania is still relatively secure, evidence of declines prompted the federal government to fund a recovery programme, and management now focuses on habitat improvement and control of feral and domestic cats. Fortunately, Tasmania has no red foxes, and native carnivorous marsupials do not pose a significant threat (1).