Researchers at a Little River conservation reserve are helping to rebuild the population of a threatened species, eastern barred bandicoots.
The Mount Rothwell Conservation and Research Centre (Mt Rothwell), a privately-owned conservation reserve, provides a home to some of the state’s most endangered species.
A partnership between Mt Rothwell and the Threatened Species Recovery Hub of the National Environmental Science Programme – a collaboration between 10 universities, which is supported by the federal government – is aiming to boost the population of Victoria’s eastern barred bandicoots.
The bandicoots were once common in Victoria, but foxes and other threats have dramatically reduced their numbers.
Researchers are bringing bandicoots in from Tasmania and crossing them with Victorian animals to introduce new genes into the population.
Mt Rothwell centre manager Annette Rypalski said the initial trial had gone well.
