Golden bandicoot  (Isoodon auratus)

This species has been lost from most of its former range (5). It is thought that reasons for this include changes to fire regimes, competition with rabbits and predation from introduced mammals such as the European red fox (Vulpes vulpes) (5).

This species occurs and is protected in the Prince Regent Nature Reserve, Kimberley, and in Barrow Island and Middle Island Nature Reserves (5). Islands are recognised as extremely important areas for vulnerable species, especially those species which are threatened on the mainland, such as the golden bandicoot. Recovery Plans have been established to define the causes of this species’ decline and to address these in the species’ present range. The eradication of rats (Rattus rattus) from Middle Island is now underway. There are also plans to set up captive breeding colonies, and reintroduce individuals to areas where they were once found (5).